# NTSB LAX97LA308: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N4459P, Gerlach, NV, August 31, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1997, 09:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Gerlach, NV
- Coordinates: 40.860588, -119.320396 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8606&lon=-119.3204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA308
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA308

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while attempting a right slip, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

The aircraft collided with the runway and drug the right wing tip during a landing attempt.  The aircraft then ground looped to the right off the runway.  The pilot stated that the airplane had insufficient power to compensate for an increased sink rate on short final.  A witness on the ground saw the wings rocking from side to side when the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 40 feet, followed by a sudden veer to the left and an increase in sink rate prior to impact with the ground.  The passenger, who was not a pilot, reported that 'we were crabbing and I thought he [the pilot] was pulling out' just prior to the ground collision.

## Factual narrative

On August 31, 1997, at 0950 hours Pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D, N4459P, was substantially damaged when it collided with the runway and drug the right wing tip.  The aircraft then ground looped to the right off the runway.  The aircraft was landing at the Fly Ranch, 20 miles north of Gerlach, Nevada, at the time.  The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated that the airplane had insufficient power to compensate for an increased sink rate on short final.  A witness on the ground saw the wings rocking from side to side when the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 40 feet, followed by a sudden veer to the left and an increase in sink rate prior to impact with the ground.  The passenger, who was not a pilot, reported that "we were crabbing and I thought he [the pilot] was pulling out" just prior to the ground collision.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4459P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4459P-2012-09-04), registration cancelled 2012-09-04, S/N 6673 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BC-12D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6673
- Airframe hours: 1249
- Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William J. Gruenthal
- Registered owner: William A. Gruenthal
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1997, 53 hours before
- Departed: 4SD, STEAD, NV
- Destination: NONE, NV
- Airport: NONE, Fly Ranch, runway 36, 4,700 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 558 total, 485 in this make and model, 498 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19970831043199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970831043199A), Aug 31, 1997: Tcraft BC12D, Gerlach, NV, Substantial damage. Stalled on short final collided with runway dragged wing tip and ground looped. Insufficient power high sink rate.

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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