Taylorcraft BC12-D N96486

Summary

On 13 June 2006 at about 16:15 local time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D registered N96486 was involved in an accident near Mayville, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 June 2006 at 16:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Mayville, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Dart Airport (D79)

Coordinates

42.2681, -79.4817

Aircraft

Taylorcraft BC12-D

Registration

N96486

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mayville → Mayville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC06LA144

1 person died.

The flight instructor's improper decision to attempt a simulated engine failure at a low altitude and her failure to maintain clearance from trees and wires, while maneuvering. Also causal was the flight instructor's impairment from prescription medication.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot initiated a takeoff, and as the airplane reached an altitude of 200 to 600 feet, the CFI "pulled the power" to simulate an engine failure. The student pilot "shoved" the nose of the airplane down, assured the airspeed was 60 mph, and initiated a "gentle" left turn. While the airplane was turning, the student pilot noticed the CFI was "preoccupied" with something on the instrument panel. Shortly after, the CFI took control of the airplane, and stated, "I'll fly now." The airplane then struck power lines and trees, and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. The pilot had been treated for chronic back pain for approximately 10 years, and had become addicted to pain medication. Additionally, she suffered from severe abdominal symptoms, likely caused by her dependence on narcotics. During the 4 years preceding the accident, the pilot was prescribed multiple narcotics to treat her pain. At the time of the accident, the pilot was regularly filling prescriptions for fentanyl (an imparing narcotic) patches and carisoprodol (a sedative muscle relaxant) at least every four weeks. She was also taking gabapentin (an anti-seizure medication, also used to treat chronic pain), and fFluconazole (a prescription n antifungal medication prescribed 8 days prior to the accident, which had the potential to substantially interfere with the metabolism of fentanyl). The pilot was found wearing fentanyl patches in excess of the amount prescribed. Postaccident toxicology testing performed on the pilot revealed fentanyl, carisoprodol, fluconazole, and gabapentin was detected in the pilot'sin her blood and urine. The level of fentanyl detected in the pilot's blood was several times the maximum expected from typical use of doses prescribed. The pilot had not noted her narcoctic dependence or use of any medications other than ibuprofen, on her applications for airmen medical certification. If they had been reported, the certificate would have been denied.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.