# NTSB NYC86LA106: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43543, W. Milford, NJ, April 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1986, 18:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: W. Milford, NJ
- Location: 41.1312° N, 74.3674° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Milford, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1312&lon=-74.3674&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA106

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - light condition - dark night
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - utility pole(marked)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

ON APPROACH TO MILFORD AIRPORT, THE FLIGHT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES AND CRASHED. THE PILOT MADE A MISSED APPROACH THEN ON SECOND APPROACH COLLIDED WITH WIRES, THE PILOT STATED THAT IT WAS DARK AND HE DID NOT SEE THE WIRES UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43543](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43543), registered now, S/N 7202 (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: 750
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: William R. Mott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1986, 3 hours before
- Departed: N30, HONESDALE, PA
- Destination: 4N1, W. MILFORD, NJ
- Airport: 4N1, Greenwood Lake, runway 6, 2,750 × 52 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 145 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19860414011779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860414011779A), Apr 14, 1986: Tcraft STCBC, West Milford, NJ, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck wires while on final approach at night. The required ELT was not installed.

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.