| Crash location | 31.863333°N, 97.381111°W |
| Nearest city | Laguna Park, TX
31.859325°N, 97.379736°W 0.3 miles away |
| Tail number | N96473 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 22 Sep 2013 |
| Aircraft type | Taylorcraft BC12 D |
| Additional details: | None |
On September 22, 2013, about 1235 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12 D, N96473, had a left main landing gear collapse during landing on runway 15 at the Laguna-Not A-Park Airstrip (TX82), near Laguna Park, Texas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial left wing damage when the airplane departed the runway and impacted a tree. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual flight rules conditions prevailed for the flight, which did not operate on a flight plan. The local flight originated from TX82 about 1100.
The pilot stated that the airplane bounced on touchdown. The left main landing gear folded "up and out." The airplane subsequently turned to the left and impacted a patch of trees near the side of the runway. The left wing's spars were separated and its strut was bent. The lower fuselage tubing and fabric was damaged when the airplane impacted a stump. The pilot stated that the airplane had been involved in an incident and the "gear" was repaired a month before he bought the airplane.
According to an airframe and power mechanic's statement and a major repair form, the airplane was damaged during a prior uncontrolled departure from runway 19 at the Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field, near Burnet, Texas. The airplane's owner requested the fixed base operator (FBO) inspect the airplane and repair it as required. Both left and right gears were visually inspected. Visual inspection of the left gear welded joints and attach points showed no damage. Damage to the right landing gear was repaired by the FBO as detailed in a Federal Aviation Administration Form 337 dated June 21, 2013. Weld repairs were completed by oxy-acetylene procedure and were inspected for return to service.
At 1235, the recorded weather, about 47 degrees and 20 nautical miles from the accident site, at the Hillsboro Municipal Airport, near Hillsboro, Texas, was: Wind 050 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 25 degrees C; dew point 10 degrees C; altimeter 29.93 inches of mercury.
The pilot’s inadequate flare during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent collapse of the left main landing gear.