Taylorcraft BC12-D N39205

Summary

On 15 March 1990 at about 16:45 local time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D registered N39205 was involved in an accident near Ashland, Oregon, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 March 1990 at 16:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Ashland, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

42.1495, -122.5300

Aircraft

Taylorcraft BC12-D

Registration

N39205

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Redding

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA90LA052

1 person was seriously injured.

PILOT DISPLAYED POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS BY ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE'S SPEED TO DETERIORATE TO THE POINT THAT THE AIRPLANE STALLED. THE PILOT COULD NOT FULLY CORRECT THE SITUATION DUE TO A LOSS OF ALTITUDE AND INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM THE TERRAIN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE AND HIS PASSENGER WERE SIGHTSEEING AS THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING TO ALTITUDE. THE FLIGHT WAS PARALLELING A RIDGELINE THAT CONVERGED INTO A CANYON. WHEN THE AIRPLANE ATTAINED A SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE RIDGELINE, THE PILOT BEGAN A TURN TO THE RIGHT INTENDING TO COMPLETE A 180 DEGREE TURN. DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE STALLED. THE PILOT RECOVERED FROM THE STALL; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE LOST ENOUGH ALTITUDE THAT IT WAS NOW BELOW THE RIDGELINE. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE TURN; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED OR ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.