Accident Taylorcraft BC12-D N95592,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 290860
 
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Date:Wednesday 12 August 2015
Time:11:00 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic TAYB model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Taylorcraft BC12-D
Owner/operator:
Registration: N95592
MSN: 7892
Year of manufacture:1946
Total airframe hrs:1783 hours
Engine model:Continental A65-8
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Pearland, Texas -   United States of America
Phase: Approach
Nature:Private
Departure airport:Houston Southwest Airport, TX (KAXH)
Destination airport:Houston-Pearland Regional Airport, TX (KLVJ)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The student pilot reported that while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, after crossing abeam the runway touchdown zone, he inadvertently shut off the fuel valve instead of activating the carburetor heat. Unaware of his mistake, the pilot continued on the landing approach believing the engine was operating at a reduced power setting. The pilot reported that after maneuvering the airplane onto final approach, he realized that the airplane was lower than normal and attempted to increase engine power. After the engine did not respond to his throttle movements, the pilot noticed that the carburetor heat control was not turned on. Believing the engine was experiencing carburetor icing, the pilot activated the carburetor heat. Still without any response from the engine, the pilot completed a forced landing short of the intended runway. The airplane collided with two trees during the forced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. While securing the airplane after the accident, the pilot realized that he had inadvertently shut off the fuel valve while on the downwind leg instead of activating the carburetor heat. He stated that the two systems had similar push/pull control knobs that were positioned next to each other in the cockpit.

Probable Cause: The student pilot inadvertently shut off the fuel valve while on the downwind leg, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing short of the runway.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: CEN15CA356
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 4 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB CEN15CA356

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
07-Oct-2022 06:31 ASN Update Bot Added

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