# NTSB SEA98LA184: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95318, Flying M Ranch, OR, September 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 1998, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Flying M Ranch, OR - Coordinates: 45.360187, -123.240081 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3602&lon=-123.2401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44000 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44000/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA184 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed above stalling speed (Vs), and the resultant stall/mush of the aircraft into the terrain. Factors include the pilot's improper decision to attempt a go-around into rising terrain, landing with a tailwind, and trees and rising terrain off the end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis While landing with a tailwind at the 2,125 foot grass airstrip, the aircraft was hit by a wind gust that pushed it toward the side of the runway. The pilot, who had landed to the west, decided to execute a go-around. While attempting the go-around toward rising terrain and tall trees, the pilot allowed the airspeed to fall below stalling speed (Vs), and the aircraft stall/mushed into the terrain. A note in the Airport/Facility Directory stated, 'Land to West, takeoff to East.' ## Factual narrative On September 20, 1998, approximately 1350 Pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95318, impacted the terrain during an attempted go-around at Flying M Ranch, about eight miles west of Yamhill, Oregon. The private pilot and his passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Troutdale Airport, Portland, Oregon, about 50 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, he took off from Evergreen Airport, Vancouver, Washington, about 1200. He then flew to Troutdale Airport, where he filled his center fuel tank and picked up a passenger. Upon arriving at Flying M Ranch, he elected to land on the 2,125 foot runway 25 with a tailwind of about 5 knots. Just after the aircraft touched down on the grass airstrip, it was hit with a gust of wind that pushed it toward the side of the runway. At that point, the pilot decided to make a go-around. While attempting to climb out at a rate that would clear the trees and rising terrain off the departure end of runway 25, the aircraft stalled and impacted the terrain. In a post-accident interview with an FAA inspector, the pilot said that there did not seem to be anything wrong with the engine, and that in the 20-plus times he had landed there before, he had never attempted a go-around. A note concerning this airstrip found in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Airport/Facility Directory states, "Land to West, takeoff to East." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95318](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95318-2021-01-11), registration cancelled 2021-01-11, S/N 9718, 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: 9718 - Airframe hours: 3015 - Engines: Continental A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen A. Von Wald - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 1998, 64 hours before - Departed: TTD, TROUTDALE, OR - Destination: OR05 - Airport: OR05, Flying M Ranch, runway 25, 2,125 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,548 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,397 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19980920025589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980920025589A), Sep 20, 1998: Tcraft BC12D, Flying M Ranch, OR, Substantial damage. On September 20, 1998, approximately 1345 pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft BD12-D, N95318, impacted the terrain during an attempted go-around at Flying M… 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.