# NTSB WPR09LA330: Taylorcraft DCO-65, N51459, Tracy, CA, July 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 2009, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Tracy, CA - Coordinates: 37.688888, -121.44139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6889&lon=-121.4414&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74207 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74207/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74207 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA330 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff, the airplane seemed to "lose lift" and he observed the engine rpm at 1,800 rpm instead of 2,500 rpm. He verified the magneto switch position, mixture, and throttle settings were in their normal position. He stated that the airplane was not holding altitude and he initiated a forced landing to the southern edge of a canal. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on the northern edge of the canal, bounced, and came to rest in the canal. Canal Water Authority personnel reported the wreckage of the airplane was not located and is presumed to have drifted downstream. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 2009, about 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft DCO-65 airplane, N51459, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from the Tracy Municipal Airport, Tracy, California. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The student pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that prior to takeoff; he conducted an engine run and checked the magnetos and carburetor heat. The pilot checked the airport traffic area, taxied onto the runway, and proceeded to takeoff. As the airplane climbed through about 300 to 350 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot reported that the airplane seemed to "lose lift" and noted that the engine rpm was at 1,800 rpm instead of 2,500 rpm. The pilot verified the magneto switch position, mixture, and throttle settings were in there normal position. The pilot stated that the airplane was not holding altitude and he initiated a forced landing to the south of the Delta-Mendota Canal. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on the northern side of the canal, bounced, and went into the waters of the canal. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane as it began to sink in the water. Local law enforcement reported floating debris from the airplane on the water surface. Canal Water Authority personnel reported that despite numerous attempts, the wreckage of the airplane has not been located and is presumed to have drifted downstream. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51459](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51459-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N L-5784, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT DCO-65 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: L-5784 - Airframe hours: 750 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Oberlander Ronald - Registered owner: Oberlander Ronald - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 2008 - Departed: TCY, Tracy, CA - Destination: Tracy, CA - Airport: TCY, Tracy Municipal Airport, runway 30, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: serious; seat: front; flight hours: 150 total, 75 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: SCK, 16 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 20090703013559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090703013559A), Jul 3, 2009: Tcrafk DCO65TCRAFT, Tracy, CA, Destroyed. (-23) The non certificated pilot reported that after completing his pre-takeoff checklist, he taxied onto runway 30, and proceeded to takeoff. He stated that… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74207. 846 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 823 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316960&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318264&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF 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.