# NTSB NYC06CA148: Taylorcraft DC-65, N50VS, Parma, NY, June 17, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 17, 2006, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Parma, NY
- Coordinates: 43.220275, -77.800552
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2203&lon=-77.8006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Rochester
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63925
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63925/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA148

## Probable cause

An uncontrolled descent into trees and terrain after takeoff for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high density altitude
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The airplane collided with trees shortly after takeoff. The pilot stated that after a "normal" ground roll and initial climb, the airplane "started to lose airspeed and rate-of-climb," and that he was "unable to maintain altitude at full throttle." The pilot reported that he did not hear any unusual engine noises.  According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine were evident.  According to weight and balance calculations, the airplane was approximately 66 pounds over the maximum allowable gross weight for the airplane, which was 1,250 pounds. The calculated density altitude at the time of the accident was 2,300 feet.

## Factual narrative

The 1942 Taylorcraft DC-65 airplane collided with trees shortly after takeoff. The pilot stated that after a "normal" ground roll and initial climb, the airplane "started to lose airspeed and rate-of-climb," and that he was "unable to maintain altitude at full throttle." The pilot reported that he did not hear any unusual engine noises.  According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine were evident.  According to weight and balance calculations, the airplane was approximately 66 pounds over the maximum allowable gross weight for the airplane, which was 1,250 pounds. The calculated density altitude at the time of the accident was 2,300 feet.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50VS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50VS-2008-12-02), registration cancelled 2008-12-02, S/N 6159, built 1942 (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: 6159
- Airframe hours: 1788
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006, 10 hours before
- Departed: 7NK4, Spencerport, NY
- Airport: 7NK4, Ridge Road West Airport, runway 18, 1,800 × 45 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 1,006 total, 18 in this make and model, 877 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KROC, 9 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 20060617022279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060617022279A), Jun 17, 2006: Tcrafk DC65TCRAFT, Spenceport, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 1202 EDT, a Taylorcraft DC-065, N50VS, owned by rochester waterwings, inc. and operated by the pilot [privacy data omitted]…

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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