NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On September 8, 1996, at 1804 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D, N43687, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following an in-flight loss of control while maneuvering near Bellaire, Michigan. The commercial rated pilot sustained fatal injuries and the sole passenger sustained serious injuries. The local, 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight originated at 1720 in Traverse City, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The passenger, who was also the owner/operator of the airplane, reported that the pilot was "performing power off stalls... at 1800 mean sea level, the left wing apparently stalled first initiating a left spin. Spin recovery was not accomplished due to lack of altitude."

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The NTSB on-scene investigation began September 9, 1996 about 1600. The wreckage was located in a grassy field northwest of the intersection of Dunson Road and Clam Lake Road.

The fuselage was in a near vertical nose down pitch attitude. The fuselage, forward of the landing gear struts, was crushed aft. The right wing was separated at the root and was located about 90 feet from the main wreckage. The outboard five feet of the right leading edge was crushed aft at a 20 degree angle. The left wing was fractured chordwise about two feet inboard of the lift strut attachments. No evidence of preimpact flight control or engine control malfunction was discovered.

One blade of the wood, fixed pitch propeller was fractured near the root and the other blade was fractured at the midspan. The blades exhibited minor chordwise scratching on the forward faces. Engine continuity was verified. The spark plugs were slightly sooted and examination of the carburetor revealed no evidence of anomaly.

An emergency locator transmitter antenna was attached to the airplane but the transmitter was not discovered at the accident site.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy of the pilot was performed at the Munson Medical Center, Traverse City, Michigan on September 9, 1996. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)toxicological testing was negative for all tests conducted.

ADDITIONAL DATA/INFORMATION

The FAA Flight Standards District Office, Grand Rapids, Michigan, was a party to the investigation.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper remedial action, while recovering from an intentional stall, which resulted in an inadvertent spin and collision with the terrain. The lack of altitude for recovery was a related factor.