# NTSB LAX96LA142: Taylorcraft DC-65, N36354, Fremont, CA, March 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 1996, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Fremont, CA - Location: 37.5483° N, 121.9886° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fremont, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5483&lon=-121.9886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29395 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29395/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA142 ## Probable cause the in-flight separation of a portion of one wooden propeller blade due to undetected dry rot in the wood fibers. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller failure/malfunction, cruise - propeller system/accessories,blade - rotted/weathered (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ravine ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, the aircraft was in cruise when a sudden severe vibration went through the airframe. The pilot shut down the engine and noted that the brass abrasion strip and part of one wooden blade had separated. The pilot landed in a field, but could not stop the aircraft before it went down an embankment and into a ravine. An airframe and powerplant mechanic who recovered the aircraft reported that he saw evidence of dry rot in the remaining wooden blade section. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 1996, at 1545 hours Pacific standard time, a Taylorcraft DC-65, N36354, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing in hilly terrain near Fremont, California. The forced landing was precipitated by the separation of a portion of one of the wooden propeller blades during cruise flight. The aircraft was owned and operated by Amelia Reid Aviation of San Jose, California, and was engaged in a local area instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot/flight instructor and the private pilot undergoing conventional gear aircraft training sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from the Reid-Hillview airport, San Jose, on the day of the accident at 1515. According to the flight instructor, the aircraft was in cruise when a sudden severe vibration went through the airframe. The pilot shut down the engine and noted that the brass abrasion strip and part of one wooden blade had separated. The pilot landed in a field, but could not stop the aircraft before it went down an embankment and into a ravine. An airframe and powerplant mechanic who recovered the aircraft reported that he saw evidence of dry rot in the remaining wooden blade section. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36354](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36354), registered now, S/N 4091, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft DC-65 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft DC-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dc-65) (registry code 8850402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4091 - Airframe hours: 1973 - Engines: Continental A-65-85 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Amelia Reid Aviation - Registered owner: Amelia C. Reid - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1995, 55 hours before - Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,800 total, 234 in this make and model, 7,600 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19960323004899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960323004899A), Mar 23, 1996: Tcrafk DC65TCRAFT, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. After departure, made an emergency landing due to prop separation. 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.