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April 9, 1989 · Taylorcraft BC12-D · N43561
Gorham, ME
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 9, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Gorham, ME
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BC12-D
Tail Number
N43561
Operator
Stephen O Berry
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89LA045
THE PLT RPRTD HE FLEW TO A NEARBY AIRSTRIP TO WATCH ANOTHER ACFT LAND; HOWEVER, HE (PLT OF N43561) DID NOT PLAN TO LAND. HE SAID HE FLEW AN UPWIND PASS OVER THE STRIP AT APRX 600 TO 700 FT AGL AS HE WATCHED THE OTHER ACFT LAND. THE LOW PASS WAS MADE IN A RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE WHILE USING RUDDER TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PLT RPRTD THAT AS HE FLEW OVER A GRAVEL PIT NEAR THE STRIP, THE ACFT ENCTRD UNFAVORABLE WIND & NOSED UP. HE PUSHED THE YOKE FOWARD & APPLIED FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THE ACFT BEGAN TO ROTATE (SPIN), THEN IT CRASHED IN A STEEP DSCNT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHEN HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION DURING A LOW PASS AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER A STALL/SPIN. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A FACTOR.
Full Narrative
THE PLT RPRTD HE FLEW TO A NEARBY AIRSTRIP TO WATCH ANOTHER ACFT LAND; HOWEVER, HE (PLT OF N43561) DID NOT PLAN TO LAND. HE SAID HE FLEW AN UPWIND PASS OVER THE STRIP AT APRX 600 TO 700 FT AGL AS HE WATCHED THE OTHER ACFT LAND. THE LOW PASS WAS MADE IN A RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE WHILE USING RUDDER TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PLT RPRTD THAT AS HE FLEW OVER A GRAVEL PIT NEAR THE STRIP, THE ACFT ENCTRD UNFAVORABLE WIND & NOSED UP. HE PUSHED THE YOKE FOWARD & APPLIED FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THE ACFT BEGAN TO ROTATE (SPIN), THEN IT CRASHED IN A STEEP DSCNT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest AirportWebster Airstrip (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftTaylorcraft BC12-D
Tail NumberN43561
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorStephen O Berry
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind290° @ 17 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT