# NTSB SEA01LA164: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95223, Winston, OR, September 2, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 2001, 18:30 local (Sep 2, 2001, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Winston, OR - Coordinates: 43.050979, -123.500518 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0510&lon=-123.5005&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53172 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53172/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA164 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during the initial takeoff. A fence was a factor. ## 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 - object - fence (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was repositioning the aircraft from one field to the next in order for the aircraft to be closer to his residence for "major rework." The aircraft had not undergone an annual inspection for about three years. The pilot reported that the short field takeoff was to the north. The aircraft lifted off and attained an altitude of about 10 feet, about 150 feet before the fence line, when the aircraft started to steadily loose altitude. The aircraft's main landing gear caught on the fence. The aircraft continued airborne over the next field, but "mushed" along. The aircraft subsequently collided with another fence on the north end of the field, collapsing the main landing gear and damaging the wings. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. The wind was reported as "swirling" by the pilot and a light breeze from the south from two witnesses. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2001, about 1830 Pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95223, registered to a private owner and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a fence during takeoff from an open pasture located about seven miles southwest of Winston, OR. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. During a telephone interview with the NTSB IIC, and subsequent statements to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, the pilot reported that the flight began from Roseburg, Oregon, and was flown to a farm near Winston. The pilot reported that the aircraft had not undergone an annual inspection for about three years and he was repositioning the aircraft to this area so that "major rework" could be accomplished. The pilot over flew the farm several times to determine the wind direction then proceeded to land. While on the ground, the pilot noted that the wind was "swirling," but appeared to be blowing from the north to southwest. In order for the aircraft to be closer to his residence, the pilot got back in the aircraft to move it to another field. The pilot stated that he applied full throttle with the brakes on in preparation for a short field takeoff to the north. The pilot thought that the aircraft attained an altitude of about ten feet, about 150 feet before the fence line, when the aircraft started to steadily loose altitude. One of the main landing gear wheels caught on the fence. The aircraft continued flying but "mushed" along before colliding with another fence on the north end of the field, substantially damaging both wings and collapsing the landing gear. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. Two witnesses reported that the aircraft pulled up just before colliding with the three to four foot high fence. The aircraft continued on over the next field, subsequently colliding with the fence on the north end of the field. One witness reported that the takeoff was "going with the wind," while the other reported that the breeze was light from the south. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95223](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95223), registered now, S/N 9623, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BC12-D - 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: 9623 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Calvin W. Graham - Registered owner: Keith A. Graham - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1996 - Departed: Winston, OR - Destination: Winston, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 338 total, 300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 20010901023629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010901023629A), Sep 1, 2001: Tcraft BC12D, Winston, OR, No damage. (.19) On September 1, 2001, about 1820 pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95223, registered to a private owner and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.