# NTSB NYC91LA231: Taylorcraft BC/2D, N95123, Rangeley, ME, September 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1991, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Rangeley, ME
- Location: 44.9659° N, 70.6521° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rangeley, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9659&lon=-70.6521&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA231

## Probable cause

IMPROPER TAKEOFF PLANNING BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES DURING INITIAL CLIMB.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION NOT TO USE THE FULL LAKE SURFACE AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF ON A 3 MILES LONG LAKE WITH 2/3S OF IT BEHIND HIM.  ONCE AIRBORNE, HE WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB THE TERRAIN AND STRUCK TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95123](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95123-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 9523, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC/2D
- 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: 9523
- Airframe hours: 939
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George S Coy
- Registered owner: George S Coy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1991, 30 hours before
- Destination: COLCHESTER, VT
- Airport: 88B, Rangley, runway 34, 15,000 ×  ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,950 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910908038659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910908038659A), Sep 8, 1991: Tcraft BC12D, Rangeley, ME, Substantial damage. Took off on last third of 3 mile long lake. Unable to clear rising terrain encountered downdraft struck 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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