# NTSB NYC89LA153: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N43562, Newport, ME, July 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1989, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Newport, ME
- Location: 44.8364° N, 69.2549° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newport, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8364&lon=-69.2549&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA153

## Probable cause

THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SUPPLY WAS CONTAMINATED BY WATER AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS DEPARTING A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, ABOUT 25 TO 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER SUDDENLY. THE PILOT CHECKED THE FUEL SHUTOFF TO MAKE SURE IT WAS ON AND HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY USING THE PRIMER. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART AND THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO THE TREES. THE SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S GASCOLATER WAS ONE-THIRD FULL OF WATER AND A SUBSEQUENT ENGINE RUN SHOWED NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43562](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43562), registered now, S/N 7221 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D
- 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: 7221
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alton E. Cianchette
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: NONE, NEWPORT, ME
- Destination: 2B7, PITTSFIELD, ME
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 110 in this make and model, 196 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890701018969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890701018969A), Jul 1, 1989: Tcraft BC12D, Palmyra, ME, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed in trees. Water in fuel. Had sat outside for three weeks with one third fuel in tanks

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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