# NTSB SEA90LA155: Taylorcraft BC-65, N27454, Chehalis, WA, August 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1990, 18:00 local (Aug 6, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Chehalis, WA
- Coordinates: 46.620975, -122.99929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6210&lon=-122.9993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA155

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. THE GUSTY CROSSWIND WS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH AT 100 FT. AGL, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED STRONG GUSTY CROSSWINDS THAT BLEW THE ACFT INTO TREES AT THE SIDE OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27454](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27454-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 2096, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BL-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bl-65) (registry code 8850350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2096
- Airframe hours: 1687
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis R. Sabin
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1989, 50 hours before
- Airport: NONE, runway 27, 1,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 363 total, 156 in this make and model, 306 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TDO, 8 nm away

## 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 19900805030099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900805030099A), Aug 5, 1990: Tcraft BC65, Chehalis, WA, Substantial damage. Low on final for Private strip allowed crosswind to drift aircraft off runway. Alignment too low to clear 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.

---
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.