Pilot Debrief

TAYLORCRAFT BC12 D near Critz, VA — 2016-05-07

Final reportERA16LA179
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Date
2016-05-07
Location
Critz, VA, USA
Airport
VA27
Aircraft
TAYLORCRAFT BC12 D
Registration
N43363
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while on final approach, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was on a cross-country pleasure flight and returning to the airplane's home base. Upon arriving at the destination, he flew over the runway and noted that the wind was from the southwest between 7 and 8 kts. He entered the airport traffic pattern on the downwind leg for runway 19, then turned onto the base and final legs. While on final approach and flying between 10 and 15 ft above ground level, the airplane suddenly veered to the left. The pilot added partial power and the engine responded; however, the airplane clipped a tree, then impacted the ground. The pilot indicated that there was no preimpact failure or malfunction of the engine or airplane and that the airplane was above stall speed when it veered to the left. However, data downloaded from the GPS receiver indicated that the pilot allowed the airplane to slow near its stall speed. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane's critical angle of attack and the airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not obtain a formal weather briefing before the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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