# NTSB NYC02LA020: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43529, Farmville, VA, October 20, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 20, 2001, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Farmville, VA - Coordinates: 37.357498, -78.437774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3575&lon=-78.4378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 53695 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53695/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA020 ## Probable cause The CFI's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff. A factor in the accident was the CFI's decision to conduct the flight from the airplane's right seat, which was not equipped with brakes. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) intended to fly to a local grass strip to provide the private pilot with tail-wheel aircraft instruction. During the takeoff roll, the CFI lost directional control of the airplane and elected to allow the airplane to depart the right side of the runway and slow down in the grass. However, the airplane struck a ditch and flipped over, which damaged the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The CFI did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane and he further stated that wind at the time of the accident was light and variable. Additionally, the CFI was seated in the airplane's right front seat, and airplane was equipped with "foot brakes" at the left front seat pilot station only. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 2001, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43529, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Farmville Regional Airport, Farmville, Virginia. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was departing runway 21, a 4,400-foot long, 75-foot wide, asphalt runway. The CFI stated he performed the takeoff, and intended to fly to a local grass strip to provide the private pilot with tail-wheel aircraft instruction. The CFI said he "lost directional control" of the airplane during the takeoff roll, and he elected to allow the airplane to depart the right side of the runway and slow down in the grass. However, the airplane struck a ditch and flipped over, which damaged the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The CFI did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane and he further stated that wind at the time of the accident was light and variable. Additionally, the CFI was seated in the airplane's right front seat, and airplane was equipped with "foot-brakes" at the left front seat pilot station only. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43529](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43529), registered now, S/N 7188, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BC12-D - 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: 7208 - Engines: Continental AC-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vernon Francisco - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2000 - Departed: FVX, Farmville, VA - Airport: FVX, Farmville Muni, runway 21, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 61; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review September 24, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 8,100 total, 20 in this make and model, 7,819 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review September 30, 2000; seat: rear; flight hours: 265 total, 1 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: CHO, 47 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 20011020031889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011020031889A), Oct 20, 2001: Tcraft BC12D, Farmville, VA, No damage. (-23) The flight instructor was giving training in operation of aircraft with conventional landing gear to private pilot/owner. On take off roll, the flight… ## Other investigations on N43529 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC86LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA086), Mar 22, 1986: Taylorcraft BC12-D (N43529), Tioga, NY, substantial damage 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.