# NTSB NYC07CA034: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N148HW, Benton, KY, November 21, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 21, 2006, 15:06 local (20:06 UTC)
- Place: Benton, KY
- Coordinates: 36.77639, -88.222221
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7764&lon=-88.2222&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Louisville, KY
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA034

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to fly between the trees during his approach to the runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - improper decision, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

While returning from a local flight, the pilot of a Taylorcraft BC12-D decided to approach the runway by "cutting" between some trees. During the approach the airplane impacted the trees and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that it was "kind of a bad approach from that end of the field" but the taxiing time was shorter to where he parked the airplane. He also stated that it was "just laziness on my part" and that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

While returning from a local flight, the pilot of a Taylorcraft BC12-D decided to approach the runway by "cutting" between some trees. During the approach the airplane impacted the trees and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that it was "kind of a bad approach from that end of the field" but the taxing time was shorter to where he parked the airplane. He also stated that it was "just laziness on my part" and that their were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N148HW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N148HW-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N 7625, 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: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7625
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 42KY, Benton, KY
- Destination: 42KY
- Airport: 42KY, Pirates Cove Airport, runway 36, 3,000 × 32 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 10,043 total, 250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.37 inHg
- Observed at: PAH, 31 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 20061121025109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061121025109A), Nov 21, 2006: Tcraft BC12D, Benton, KY, Destroyed. (-23) The outboard leading edge of the left wing struck the top of a small tree during approach to runway 36 at Pirates Cove Airport. The aircraft crashed…

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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