# NTSB WPR15LA226: Taylorcraft 12-m, N49153, Selma, CA, August 1, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2015, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Selma, CA - Coordinates: 36.34, -119.657218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3400&lon=-119.6572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91686 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91686/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91686 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA226 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction's use of an excessive pitch attitude during takeoff with the airplane near its maximum gross weight in hot and humid conditions, which degraded the airplane’s climb performance and resulted in a collision with obstacles during an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high temperature](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor departed the airport area, practiced basic maneuvers, and then returned to the airport to practice takeoffs and landings. The pilot receiving instruction successfully completed five full-stop landings. The flight instructor reported that, during the sixth takeoff, the tail came up a bit slower but not at an abnormal rate. He added that, at liftoff, the airplane's pitch attitude was a bit higher than during the previous liftoffs and that the airplane was not climbing. As the flight instructor adjusted his position to see out the front windscreen, the airplane contacted the runway and then bounced. He determined that there was insufficient runway to land and stop the airplane, so he held the throttle in the full-power position to ensure that the pilot receiving instruction did not try to abort the takeoff. He maintained wings level and lowered the nose as much as possible until the airplane cleared a ditch and then touched down in a vineyard. The airplane contacted the ground in a level attitude, turned sharply 90 degrees, and then travelled about 30 ft before stopping. The pilot receiving instruction reported that it was hot and humid, that the wind conditions were variable, and that the airplane was near its maximum gross weight. He added that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the combined effects of the pilot's use of an increased pitch attitude, the airplane's near maximum gross weight, and the environmental conditions degraded the airplane's climb performance. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2015, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft 12-m, N49153, experienced a runway excursion at the Selma Airport, Selma, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot under instruction (PUI) and the certified flight instructor (CFI) both received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and the engine mount. The local instructional flight departed about 0900. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.The pilot flew south of the airport after departure to practice basic maneuvers, and then returned to the airport to practice takeoffs and landings. Seven to eight landings to a full stop were successfully completed. On the last takeoff, the airplane lifted off, but would not climb above 5 feet. It settled back to the ground about 3/4 down the runway, lifted off again to a few feet, and then touched down again before hitting an embankment. The airplane bounced over a canal, and crashed into a vineyard about 45 feet from the runway. The pilot reported that it was hot and humid, the wind conditions were variable, and the airplane was close to maximum gross weight. He stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane. The flight instructor stated that the last takeoff (6th) initially seemed like the previous ones. Power addition was the same; the tail came up a bit slower, but not at an abnormal rate. At liftoff, the pitch attitude was a bit higher than the previous takeoffs. The airplane did not seem to be climbing, so he adjusted his position to see out the front windscreen. As he did this, the airplane bounced. As the airplane went airborne again, he felt that it was not producing sufficient lift to fly. He determined that there was insufficient runway to set the airplane down and stop before going into a deep drainage ditch that was perpendicular to the end of the runway. He held the throttle in the full power position to insure that the PUI didn't try to abort the takeoff, maintained wings level, and lowered the nose as much as possible. He maintained that attitude until the airplane cleared the ditch, and touched down in the vineyard. It contacted the ground in a level attitude, turned sharply 90 degrees, and stopped in about 30 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49153](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49153), registered now, S/N 5320, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT 12-m - 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: 5320 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 1590 - Engines: CONT MOTOR 9-170-3 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 2015 - Departed: 0Q4, Selma, CA - Destination: 0Q4, Selma, CA - Airport: 0Q4, Selma, runway 10, 2,490 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2015; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 53 total, 4 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; injuries: minor; flight instructor, military, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 18, 2013; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,434 total, 10 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KFAT, 13 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 20150801019689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150801019689A), Aug 1, 2015: Taylorcraft DCO-65, Selma, CA, Substantial damage. While taking off couldn't get a good climb, settled back onto the runway then tried taking off again and settled into a vineyard ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91686. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 396 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Flight Instructor Statement (item 2, .PDF, 637 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-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.