# NTSB NYC83FA061: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95176, Alton, ME, January 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1983, 07:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Alton, ME
- Location: 45.0315° N, 68.7286° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alton, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0315&lon=-68.7286&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not attained, pilot in command
  - maintenance,recordkeeping - not maintained, pilot in command
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE PAX STATED THAT THE FUSELAGE & RIGHT WING TANKS CONTAINED AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. THE ENG WAS WARMED UP AN ESTIMATED 30 MINPRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO LIFT OFF ABOUT 1/2 WAY DOWN THE 1600 FT STRIP. AT ABOUT 30-40 FT THE ACFT BEGAN A RIGHT BANKING TURN. THE PAX STATED THAT AT ABOUT 75 FT ABOVE THE TREES THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT LEFT BACK TOWARD THE RWY, & THE PAX OBSERVED THE PLT PULLING & PUSHING A KNOB. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT'S LOGBOOK INDICATED A TOTAL OF 11.9 HRS DUAL WITH THE LAST DUAL ON 7/24/81. THE LAST RECORDED ANNUAL WAS ON 3/31/81 WHICH COULD NOT BE SIGNED OFF BECAUSE AN STC INVOLVING AN ENG CHANGE WAS NOT COMPLETED. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH SKIS & THEIR INSTALLATION WAS NOT RECORDED IN THE LOGBOOK. THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 175 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. OAT AT BANGOR, ME WAS 20 DEG F. RECENT TESTS SHOW THAT A CARBURETOR HAD A TENDENCY TO COMMENCE ICING TWICE AS SOON WITH AUTOMOTIVE GRADE FUEL AS COMPARED WITH 100LL AVIATION GRADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95176](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95176), registered now, S/N 9576, 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: 9576
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank F. Goodin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1981
- Destination: ROSS LAKE, ME
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 27, 1,600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 145 total, 145 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGR, 13 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 19830130002809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830130002809A), Jan 30, 1983: Tcraft BC12D, Alton, ME, Destroyed. Engine quit shortly after takeoff and crash occurred when student pilot attempted to turn back to airport.

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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