# NTSB SEA95LA098: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N96202, Vancouver, WA, May 11, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 1995, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Vancouver, WA - Coordinates: 45.630279, -122.519119 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6303&lon=-122.5191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42149/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA098 ## Probable cause CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT USED AND AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S DIVERTED ATTENTION, AND CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT WHILE PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS, THE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND DURING THE RESTART ATTEMPT, THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED WHEN THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A STALLED ATTITUDE. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING AT CRUISE OR CLIMB POWER. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 1995, at 1245 Pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N96202, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after take off from Evergreen Field, Vancouver, Washington. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the flight instructor was seriously injured. The student pilot received minor injuries. Both the student pilot and the flight instructor reported that the purpose of the instructional flight was for the student to practice touch-and-go landings. Both pilots stated that shortly after takeoff at approximately 50-75 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly lost all power. The instructor stated that there was "no missing, sputtering or other warning, as though the fuel was cut-off or both magnetos shut off." The flight instructor took over and attempted to restart the engine, however, he was unsuccessful. The flight instructor stated that he may have been distracted when attempting to restart the engine as the right wing dropped and the airplane collided with the terrain in a semi stalled attitude. Both pilots reported that they had completed several touch-and- go landings without incident. Carburetor heat was applied on the downwind leg each time, and shut off before applying power for takeoff. A witness in the local area had been watching the airplane as it performed the touch-and-go landings. This witness stated that when the airplane climbed to approximately 50 feet above ground level and over the west end of the runway, he heard the engine begin sputtering, then quit. The airplane continued straight ahead for a few seconds then it turned right and appeared to stall before striking the ground right wing first, nose down, and cartwheeling once before coming to rest. During the engine inspection, the engine rotated easily, with normal range compression developed in each cylinder. Rocker arm, valve train and accessory gear continuity was established. All spark plugs displayed normal operating signatures, and both magnetos produced a spark. Fuel was found in the fuel tanks and the fuel lines and valve were open and clear of obstructions. The carburetor displayed impact damage, however, the fuel screen was clean and the float functioned normally. Control continuity was checked to the carburetor heat control and the carburetor heat valve covers, with no noted abnormalities. At the time of the accident the Portland Airport, located four miles southwest of the Evergreen Airport, was reporting a temperature of 59 degrees and a dewpoint of 45 degrees. The probable carburetor icing chart indicates that the airplane was operating in the range of serious icing at cruise or climb power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96202](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96202-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 8502, 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: 8502 - Airframe hours: 10000 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Evergreen Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1995, 75 hours before - Airport: 59S, Evergreen Field, runway 28L, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 20,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 19,600 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 14 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PDX, 4 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 19950511010969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950511010969A), May 11, 1995: Tcraft BC12D, Vancouver, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Banked. Wing stalled. Impacted. Cartwheeled. No engine defects. Serious carb icing. ## Other investigations on N96202 (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 SEA89LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA101), Jun 6, 1989: Taylorcraft BC-12D (N96202), Vancouver, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING GROUND ROLL, RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP AND NOSE OVER. THE CROSSWIND IS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT. 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.