# NTSB LAX89LA046: Univair Taylorcraft BC12-D, N5496V, Kawaihae, HI, November 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1988, 14:15 local (Nov 12, 1988, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Kawaihae, HI
- Coordinates: 20.039646, -155.700622 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.0396&lon=-155.7006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA046

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - engine accessories,engine starter - not installed
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND WAS FLYING THE AIRPLANE SIMILAR TO A SAILPLANE. TO RESTART THE ENGINE, HE WOULD DIVE THE AIRPLANE TO ATTAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO WINDMILL THE PROP. JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, HE ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO DESCEND TO AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS TOO LOW TO ATTAIN ENOUGH AIRSPEED FOR A RESTART. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE. NO PRE-ACCIDENT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5496V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5496V), registered now, S/N 6505 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Univair TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D (TAYLORCRAF)
- Registry model: [Universal TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 9230916) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6505
- Airframe hours: 3561
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kaminski, Charles D.
- Registered owner: Kaminski, Charles D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1988, 82 hours before
- Departed: KOA, KONA, HI
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 760 total, 82 in this make and model, 685 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19881111050399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881111050399A), Nov 11, 1988: Tcraft BC12D, Kawaihae, HI, Substantial damage. Shut engine down to glide aircraft. No starter. Too low for dive start. Landed in a open field and struck a tree.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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