# NTSB NYC89LA090: Taylorcraft L-2M, N60201, Olcott, NY, February 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1989, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Olcott, NY
- Coordinates: 43.340946, -78.729164 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3409&lon=-78.7292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36380/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA090

## Probable cause

THE INATTENTIVENESS OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE TURNING BASE LEG FOR LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH A HANGAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - airport facility

## Analysis

WHILE ON DOWNWIND LEG, THE PILOT STATED, HE STOPPED PAYING ATTENTION TO HIS AIRSPEED BECAUSE OF THE BEAUTIFUL DAY. WHEN HE BANKED LEFT TO TURN BASE LEG THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. DURING RECOVERY FROM THE STALL THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A HANGAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60201](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60201-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N L-5664, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT L-2M
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L5664
- Airframe hours: 1353
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-170-3 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Trudnowski, doing business as Trudie'S Aaero Service
- Registered owner: Paul Trudnowski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1988, 38 hours before
- Departed: OLCUTT, NY
- Airport: D80, Palmer, runway 9, 2,525 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 793 total, 92 in this make and model, 611 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °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 19890225002619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890225002619A), Feb 25, 1989: Tcrafk DCO65TCRAFT, Olcott, NY, Substantial damage. Too low and slow on downwind,stalled and entered a spin turning tight final. Recovered just before hitting a hangar

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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