# NTSB NYC89LA216: Taylorcraft DCO-65, N46216, Andreas, PA, September 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1989, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Andreas, PA
- Coordinates: 40.740722, -75.82064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7407&lon=-75.8206&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 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA216

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

TAYLORCRAFT, N46216, WAS DEPARTING FROM A GRASS AIRSTRIP AT 50 MPH INDICATED AIRSPEED. AFTER REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF 30-50 FEET, IT LOST ALTITUDE AND CRASHED INTO A CORN FIELD. THE LEFT WING TIP, RIGHT WING, ENGINE AND LANDING GEAR WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46216](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46216), registered now, S/N L-5050 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT DCO-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Martin
- Registered owner: Harold C. Jeppsen
- Destination: HZL, HAZLETON, PA
- Airport: PA30, East Penn, runway 27, 1,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 400 total, 100 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 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 19890917035029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890917035029A), Sep 17, 1989: Tcrafk L2BTCRAFT, Andreas, PA, Substantial damage. Stalled on climbout from short grass strip while turning to avoid trees.

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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