# NTSB NYC90LA101: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N43778, Meadville, PA, April 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1990, 11:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Meadville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.640491, -80.140174 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6405&lon=-80.1402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA101

## Probable cause

LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY THE PILOT DURING LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

ON TOUCHDOWN, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER, LIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY AND SAT IT DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. HOWEVER, ANOTHER GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT OFF OF THE RUNWAY, IT THEN STRUCK A SMALL DITCH THAT RAN PARALLEL TO THE RUNWAY AND FLIPPED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43778](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43778-2012-01-31), registration cancelled 2012-01-31, S/N 7437, built 1946 (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: 7437
- Airframe hours: 3137
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William H. Campbell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1990, 6 hours before
- Departed: 4G1, GREENVILLE, PA
- Destination: 2G6, MEADVILLE, PA
- Airport: 2G6, Port Meadville, runway 25, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 505 total, 171 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °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 19900428013919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900428013919A), Apr 28, 1990: Tcraft BC12D, Meadville, PA, Substantial damage. Encountered crosswind gust on landing. Ballooned, drifted off runway, struck a ditch and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N43778 (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC99FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99FA037), Dec 12, 1998: Taylorcraft BC12-D (N43778), Greenville, PA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during touch-and-go landing, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was the tree.

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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