NTSB Factual Report

On May 9, 1999, at 1005 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D, N96876, piloted by a commercial pilot, collided with the terrain following a loss of control in flight and an uncontrolled descent. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed East Moline, Illinois, exact time unknown.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Report stated that the pilot had flown to Newton to attend a family get together and by previous arrangement the pilot would circle his residence and family members would meet the pilot at the Newton Municipal airport. One of the family members said the aircraft flew north, rocked his wings, saying "Hi" and circled the house. This witness said "After that, as the plane was flying north, it proceeded to go up at about a 45 degree angle. It 'appeared' to stall. The plane then either went left or right and 'spiraled' into the ground."

OTHER WITNESSES

One witness said the "Yellow plane buzzed over, turned came back over climbed straight up, nosed over, came down never pulled out, crashed in field."

Another witness said "Aircraft circled once over head, the second pass around it went straight up stalled and spinned and hit ground. Never pulled out of spin."

Another witness observed "The airplane proceeded in a northerly direction and nose went up and right wing went high and the plane stalled (slow speed)...the maneuver almost appeared to be what is commonly called a 'hammerhead'. The airplane went nose down and turned 1 to 1 1/2 revolutions before it impacted the ground."

PILOT INFORMATION

The pilot held a Commercial Pilot's Certificate in Single Engine land and Sea Ratings and an Instrument Airplane Rating. The pilot had in excess of 925 flight hours.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The last annual inspection noted in the aircraft logbook was on January 2, 1998, at a total aircraft time of 1727 hours with the engine recording 529.0 hours since major overhaul..

WRECKAGE

The wreckage was located about 1/2 mile south of Newton on S74 and 1/4 mile west in a field.

The on scene inspection by NTSB investigators revealed flight control continuity. No anomalies with the engine were found that would prevent power development.

See attached photographs of accident scene.

SURVIVAL FACTORS

The Chief Deputy of the Jasper County Sheriff's Office wrote in his report: "I made contact with Dr. Francis Garrity, Deputy State Medical Examiner ... He asked me if the plane was equipped with shoulder harness. I told him 'no' and told him about a question had been raised that the victim might not have had his lap belt fastened. Dr Garrity told me that that might be consistent to his observations, as he did not detect bruising consistent with lap belt use on the body."

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy of the pilot was conducted by the Deputy State Medical Examiner/Pathologist from Des Moines, Iowa.

FAA toxicology testing of samples taken from the pilot were negative for ethanol, cyanide, and carbon monoxide. Theophylline was detected in the blood and liver fluid.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the pilot to maintain flying speed resulting in a stall and spin into the ground.