# NTSB NYC85LA093: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43871, Orange, MA, March 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1985, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Orange, MA
- Location: 42.6052° N, 72.2922° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Orange, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6052&lon=-72.2922&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA093

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS FLYING AT ABOUT 25 FT ABOVE WATER. AS THE ACFT CROSSED OVER A GRASS COVERED SAND BAR, THE GEAR ENCOUNTERED 'SWAIL GRASS' & THE ACFT WAS 'DRAGGED IN.'  THE PLT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE; HOWEVER, A WITNESS REPORTED THE WIND WAS CALM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43871](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43871-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N 7530, 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: 7530
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerry Carlson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HFD, HARTFORD, CT
- Destination: ORE, ORANGE, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 102 total, 100 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19850330010189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850330010189A), Mar 30, 1985: Tcraft BC12D, Orange, MA, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with the ground. Solo student was at low altitude when gear encountered tall grass on a sand bar.

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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