# NTSB LAX91LA237: Taylorcraft DCO-65, N49173, Antioch, CA, June 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1991, 13:09 local (20:09 UTC)
- Place: Antioch, CA
- Coordinates: 37.990135, -121.809341 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9901&lon=-121.8093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA237

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT WAS IMPROPER; THAT HE DEPARTED WITH THE CARBURETOR HEAT ON; FAILED TO ABORT WHEN IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT GOING TO TAKE OFF; AND ABRUPTLY LIFTING THE AIRPLANE SO THAT IT BECAME AIRBORNE IN GROUND EFFECT, BUT THEN STALLED AND SETTLED INTO THE TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DEPART THE 1300 FOOT RUNWAY AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER.  THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY LEFT THE CARB HEAT ON. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 100 YARDS FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY THE PILOT ABRUPTLY PULLED THE CONTROL STICK EFFECTING A LIFT-OFF IN GROUND EFFECT. WHEN THE AIRPLANE ATTAINED AN ALTITUDE ABOVE GROUND EFFECT IT STALLED AND SETTLED INTO THE TREES AND INJURED AN INDIVIDUAL ON THE GROUND AS THE AIRCRAFT PASSED OVER HIM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49173](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49173), registered now, S/N 5220, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT DCO-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5220
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth L. Burgess
- Registered owner: Kenneth L. Burgess
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: Roddy Ranch, runway 28, 1,300 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 562 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Observed at: CCR, 18 nm away

## 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 19910601018679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910601018679A), Jun 1, 1991: Tcrafk DCO65TCRAFT, Byron, CA, Substantial damage. At gross weight,hot day,short grass strip. Rotated last 100 ft. unable to climb,settled into fence and trees.

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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