# NTSB NYC89LA045: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43561, Gorham, ME, April 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1989, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Gorham, ME
- Location: 43.6932° N, 70.4350° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gorham, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6932&lon=-70.4350&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36347/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA045

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHEN HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION DURING A LOW PASS AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER A STALL/SPIN.  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD HE FLEW TO A NEARBY AIRSTRIP TO WATCH ANOTHER ACFT LAND; HOWEVER, HE (PLT OF N43561) DID NOT PLAN TO LAND. HE SAID HE FLEW AN UPWIND PASS OVER THE STRIP AT APRX 600 TO 700 FT AGL AS HE WATCHED THE OTHER ACFT LAND. THE LOW PASS WAS MADE IN A RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE WHILE USING RUDDER TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PLT RPRTD THAT AS HE FLEW OVER A GRAVEL PIT NEAR THE STRIP, THE ACFT ENCTRD UNFAVORABLE WIND & NOSED UP. HE PUSHED THE YOKE FOWARD & APPLIED FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THE ACFT BEGAN TO ROTATE (SPIN), THEN IT CRASHED IN A STEEP DSCNT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43561](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43561-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 7220, 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: 7220
- Airframe hours: 1625
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen O. Berry
- Registered owner: Stephen O Berry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1989, 8 hours before
- Departed: LIMINGTON, ME
- Airport: Webster Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 290° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 15 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 19890409006849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890409006849A), Apr 9, 1989: Tcraft BC12D, Gorham, ME, Destroyed. Stalled and spun in while watching another aircraft land. Was circling airport and blamed wind for loss of control.

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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