Pilot Debrief

TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D1 near Skokomish, WA — 2009-10-11

Final reportWPR10FA223
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Date
2009-10-11
Location
Skokomish, WA, USA
Aircraft
TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D1
Registration
N44362
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while flying over hilly, forested terrain.

NTSB narrative

After refueling his airplane in the early afternoon, the pilot departed to a destination unknown to anyone else. When he did not return, he was reported missing and a search ensued for the airplane. About seven months later, the airplane's wreckage was discovered in thick underbrush on a ridge of densely forested hilly terrain. The airplane's left wing had impacted two conifer trees near their tops, resulting in the outboard four feet of the wing separating at that location. The airplane had traveled another 115 feet through the forest, with its wings impacting several other trees, before coming to rest inverted in the underbrush. Examination of the propeller blades and observation of cleanly cut tree sections along the wreckage path revealed evidence of engine rotation at the point of initial impact. A full engine teardown inspection did not reveal any evidence of anomalies that would have existed at the time of the accident and that would have kept the engine from developing full rated horsepower.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not file a flight plan or inform anyone of his destination.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents27

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