Taylorcraft BC-12D accident near Tehachapi, CA
On August 4, 1993, a Taylorcraft BC-12D (airplane) was involved in an accident near Tehachapi, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 4, 1993
- Place
- Tehachapi, CA
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BC-12D · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.120°N, 118.510°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X13168
NTSB summary
On August 3, 1993, about 1730 hours Pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC-12-D, N95907, collided with terrain while attempting a return to runway maneuver at the Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California. The return to runway attempt was precipitated by a total loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the operation and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed in the ground collision sequence and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap as a personal cross country flight to Thermal, California. The pilot was working as a tow plane pilot for sailplanes. According to his log book, he performed 14 tows during the day of the accident. During the day, the pilot borrowed some fuel containers to purchase automobile fuel for the Taylorcraft. The airport manager reported during the initial accident notification that the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power during the takeoff and initial climb. The manager stated that the aircraft was attempting a return to runway maneuver when it apparently stalled in the turn and descended nose first to ground impact. An FAA airworthiness inspector from the Van Nuys Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site and examined the aircraft. He reported that he found the fuel selector valves in the "OFF" position. The FAA inspector performed a weight and balance on the airplane and its contents at the time of the accident. According to the calculations, the airplanes we
Probable cause
FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECTLY POSITION THE FUEL SELECTOR PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED MARGIN ABOVE STALL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM A PREFLIGHT CHECK OR USE A PRETAKEOFF CHECKLIST, HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY LOAD THE AIRCRAFT WITHIN THE ALLOWABLE WEIGHT AND CEN
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Browse: California · Taylorcraft aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
