# NTSB LAX93LA038: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N5187M, Mariposa, CA, November 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1992, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Mariposa, CA
- Coordinates: 37.490364, -120.000419 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4904&lon=-120.0004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA038

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED MARGIN WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, AND, AFTER ENCOUNTERING A DOWN DRAFT, HIS FAILURE TO CORRECT THE RESULTING DESCENT RATE AND MAINTAIN A GLIDE PATH WHICH WOULD MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - airspeed(vref) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS ON APPROACH TO HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP AND HE LET THE AIRCRAFT GET LOW AND SLOW.  THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT WHICH THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AT THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5187M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5187M-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 10487, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10487
- Airframe hours: 1325
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph E. Carbaugh
- Registered owner: Arthur P. Christen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1992, 23 hours before
- Departed: MCE, MERCED, CA
- Airport: NONE, Private Strip, runway 33, 1,073 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 713 total, 366 in this make and model, 641 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19921114046509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921114046509A), Nov 14, 1992: Tcraft BC12D, Mariposa, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with trees on approach to Private strip. Pilot reported he was too low and slow. Encountered downdraft.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.