# NTSB MKC86FA103: Taylorcraft BL-65, N24491, Independence, MO, May 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1986, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Independence, MO
- Location: 39.0911° N, 94.4155° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Independence, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0911&lon=-94.4155&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34067
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34067/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA103

## 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
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance - exceeded
  - maneuver - initiated, 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 - rising (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THEY TOOK OFF TO THE NORTH WITH AN INTENDED SOUTHWEST BOUND DEPARTURE. AFTER A LEFT TURN, WHILE ON THE CROSSWIND LEG, AND CLIMBING THROUGH 800 FEET, A BLAST OF COLD AIR AND WIND SHEAR HIT THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE BOTTOM FELL OUT, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. A WITNESS OBSERVED THAT, ON CLIMBOUT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED AND A HIGH NOSE ANGLE. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS BANKING IN A LEFT TURN, IT SUDDENLY DROPPED STRAIGHT DOWN, ACCORDING TO THE WITNESS. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RECORDS AND REPORTS FROM THE NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS FORECASTING CENTER, (NSSFC), KANSAS CITY, MO, INDICATE VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FROM 1000 C.D.T. TO 2300 C.D.T., WITH NO RECORD OF WIND SHEAR, STRONG WINDS OR A COLD FRONT REPORTED IN THE AREA OF INDEPENDENCE MEMORIAL AIRPORT, MISSOURI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24491](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24491-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 1831, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BL-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BL-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bl-65) (registry code 8850350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1831
- Airframe hours: 1246
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-170-3 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Robert L. Hewitt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1985, 141 hours before
- Departed: 31P, INDEPENDENCE, MO
- Destination: 63K, STILWELL, KS
- Airport: 31P, Independence Mem., runway 36, 2,570 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,708 total, 55 in this make and model, 2,392 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 12 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 19860511017029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860511017029A), May 11, 1986: Tcraft BL65, Independence, MO, Destroyed. Stalled aircraft on departure and impacted a hill. Density altitude a factor. Improper airworthiness records.

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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