Taylorcraft DCO-65 N46089

Summary

On 15 February 2011 at about 21:30 local time, a Taylorcraft DCO-65 registered N46089 was involved in an accident near Americus, Indiana, 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

15 February 2011 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Americus, Indiana, United States

Coordinates

40.5367, -86.7803

Aircraft

Taylorcraft DCO-65

Registration

N46089

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lafayette → Lafayette

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN11LA194

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to the local flight, the pilot performed a preflight inspection and fueled the airplane with three gallons in each wing fuel tank. The passenger reported that the takeoff and flight were normal. During the return flight to the departure airport, the airplane stalled and descended into wooded terrain resulting in substantial damage. The airplane impacted several trees and came to rest in a nose down vertical attitude. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the forward fuselage was crushed, the wings were bent and buckled, and the engine was partially separated. Flight control continuity was established to all flight control surfaces. There was no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure with the engine or airframe.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.