NTSB Factual Report

On October 17, 2016, about 1220 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N94919, was substantially damaged following a total loss of engine power during takeoff and subsequent forced landing at Brook Bridge Aerodrome (8GA9), Vaughn, Georgia. The flight instructor and a student pilot incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the flight instructor, their intention was to fly the airplane around the traffic pattern for a few touch-and-go landings prior to departing for North Carolina, where the airplane would be hangared. The flight instructor taxied the airplane up and down the runway three times to get himself and the student pilot comfortable with tailwheel handling before takeoff. The flight instructor then taxied to the end of the runway and performed the engine run-up. He stated that shortly after takeoff, approximately 30 feet above the ground, the engine started losing power and seconds later lost all power. The flight instructor tried to land the airplane on the runway, however, he "landed hard" and the left main landing gear separated. The left wing tip struck the ground, causing the main spar to fracture about 6 feet in from the wing tip. The engine compartment and propeller struck the runway before the airplane ground-looped, and the right main landing gear separated.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the left wing main spar was fractured mid-wing. Both main landing gear were separated. The propeller had one blade bent aft around the engine cowling and the other blade was straight.

The airframe and engine were retained for further investigation.