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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 11, 1986 · Taylorcraft BL-65 · N24491

Independence, MO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 11, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Independence, MO
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BL-65
Tail Number
N24491
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC86FA103

THE PILOT STATED THAT THEY TOOK OFF TO THE NORTH WITH AN INTENDED SOUTHWEST BOUND DEPARTURE. AFTER A LEFT TURN, WHILE ON THE CROSSWIND LEG, AND CLIMBING THROUGH 800 FEET, A BLAST OF COLD AIR AND WIND SHEAR HIT THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE BOTTOM FELL OUT, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. A WITNESS OBSERVED THAT, ON CLIMBOUT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED AND A HIGH NOSE ANGLE. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS BANKING IN A LEFT TURN, IT SUDDENLY DROPPED STRAIGHT DOWN, ACCORDING TO THE WITNESS. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RECORDS AND REPORTS FROM THE NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS FORECASTING CENTER, (NSSFC), KANSAS CITY, MO, INDICATE VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FROM 1000 C.D.T. TO 2300 C.D.T., WITH NO RECORD OF WIND SHEAR, STRONG WINDS OR A COLD FRONT REPORTED IN THE AREA OF INDEPENDENCE MEMORIAL AIRPORT, MISSOURI.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT THEY TOOK OFF TO THE NORTH WITH AN INTENDED SOUTHWEST BOUND DEPARTURE. AFTER A LEFT TURN, WHILE ON THE CROSSWIND LEG, AND CLIMBING THROUGH 800 FEET, A BLAST OF COLD AIR AND WIND SHEAR HIT THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE BOTTOM FELL OUT, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. A WITNESS OBSERVED THAT, ON CLIMBOUT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED AND A HIGH NOSE ANGLE. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS BANKING IN A LEFT TURN, IT SUDDENLY DROPPED STRAIGHT DOWN, ACCORDING TO THE WITNESS. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RECORDS AND REPORTS FROM THE NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS FORECASTING CENTER, (NSSFC), KANSAS CITY, MO, INDICATE VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FROM 1000 C.D.T. TO 2300 C.D.T., WITH NO RECORD OF WIND SHEAR, STRONG WINDS OR A COLD FRONT REPORTED IN THE AREA OF INDEPENDENCE MEMORIAL AIRPORT, MISSOURI.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 CDT
Nearest AirportIndependence Mem. (2nm NW)
Runway36
Runway Length2570 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft BL-65
Tail NumberN24491
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 103
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-170-3 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data