# NTSB SEA90LA052: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N39205, Ashland, OR, March 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1990, 08:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, OR
- Coordinates: 42.149536, -122.530044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1495&lon=-122.5300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA052

## Probable cause

PILOT DISPLAYED POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS BY ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE'S SPEED TO DETERIORATE TO THE POINT THAT THE AIRPLANE STALLED. THE PILOT COULD NOT FULLY CORRECT THE SITUATION DUE TO A LOSS OF ALTITUDE AND INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE AND HIS PASSENGER WERE SIGHTSEEING AS THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING TO ALTITUDE. THE FLIGHT WAS PARALLELING A RIDGELINE THAT CONVERGED INTO A CANYON. WHEN THE AIRPLANE ATTAINED A SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE RIDGELINE, THE PILOT BEGAN A TURN TO THE RIGHT INTENDING TO COMPLETE A 180 DEGREE TURN. DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE STALLED. THE PILOT RECOVERED FROM THE STALL; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE LOST ENOUGH ALTITUDE THAT IT WAS NOW BELOW THE RIDGELINE. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE TURN; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED OR ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39205](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39205-1990-11-14), registration cancelled 1990-11-14, S/N 6459 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6459
- Airframe hours: 1510
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peile, Kelly T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1990, 16 hours before
- Destination: RDD, REDDING, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 270 total, 205 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- 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 19900315004259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900315004259A), Mar 15, 1990: Tcraft BC12D, Ashland, OR, Substantial damage. Stalled trying to make 180 out of box canyon. Recovered but unable to clear terrain, settled into 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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