Summary
On June 06, 2009, a Taylorcraft BC12-D (N43524) was involved in an accident near Murray, IA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at a low altitude.
In his written statement the pilot wrote that he has no recollection of the events on the day of the accident. During a telephone interview he stated that he and the passenger went flying to survey farm land and cattle. He stated they were flying at an altitude of 1,000 feet and would descend to 500 feet to look at fences. The only recall the passenger has is that they circled his house a couple times then turned to the west. The accident occurred approximately 600 feet west of the passenger’s property. One witness reported the airplane made several turns then headed west at an altitude of about 75 feet above the ground prior to it veering right and descending to the ground. Another witness reported the airplane flew right over her car prior to flying back and forth over a field.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA344. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N43524.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at a low altitude.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
In his written statement the pilot wrote that he has no recollection of the events on the day of the accident. During a telephone interview he stated that he and the passenger went flying to survey farm land and cattle. He stated they were flying at an altitude of 1,000 feet and would descend to 500 feet to look at fences. The only recall the passenger has is that they circled his house a couple times then turned to the west. The accident occurred approximately 600 feet west of the passenger’s property. One witness reported the airplane made several turns then headed west at an altitude of about 75 feet above the ground prior to it veering right and descending to the ground. Another witness reported the airplane flew right over her car prior to flying back and forth over a field. She stated the airplane then made a “nose dive straight into the ground.” The airplane impacted the ground in a nose down attitude. Inspection of the wreckage failed to reveal any preimpact failure/malfunction.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA344