# NTSB NYC07CA239: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N39263, Atlantic, PA, September 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 25, 2007, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Atlantic, PA - Coordinates: 41.500831, -80.348052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5008&lon=-80.3481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66767 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66767/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA239 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, unqualified person - Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted - aircraft control - not maintained, unqualified person (cause) - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - tree(s) ## Analysis After completing the sale of the Taylorcraft BC-12D, the new owner, who was a private pilot, suggested to the previous student pilot owner that they fly the airplane. The student pilot got in the airplane and sat in the left seat and the private pilot occupied the right seat. After the student pilot did a preflight check and runup, they took off and joined the traffic pattern for landing. The approach was high. The airplane then touched down on the 2,000-foot grass strip and bounced. The student pilot initiated a go around; however, the airplane struck trees, decelerated, stalled, and then impacted the ground in a nose down attitude. The private pilot made no attempt to intervene. ## Factual narrative After completing the sale of the Taylorcraft BC-12D, the new owner, who was a private pilot, suggested to the previous student pilot owner that they fly the airplane. The student pilot got in the airplane and sat in the left seat and the private pilot occupied the right seat. After the student pilot did a preflight check and runup, they took off and joined the traffic pattern for landing. According to the private pilot, the approach was high. The airplane then touched down on the 2,000-foot grass strip and bounced. The student pilot initiated a go around; however, the airplane struck trees, decelerated, stalled, and then impacted the ground in a nose down attitude. The private pilot later stated that, the student pilot "was in command of the craft. I was just a passenger." He also stated that he would not have taken control without an "invitation" from the pilot in the left seat, and that this was a "rule" he had learned many years before. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39263](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39263-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 6517, built 1945 (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: 6517 - Airframe hours: 2878.4 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2007 - Departed: NONE, Atlantic, PA - Destination: NONE - Airport: NONE, runway 9, 2,000 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 470 total, 120 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: GKJ, 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 20070925826419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070925826419A), Sep 25, 2007: Tcraft BC12D, Atlantic, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 25, 2007, at 1412 local, N39263, Taylorcraft BC12-D attempted a go-around and failed to clear trees at the end of runway 10. Runway 28/10 is… 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.