Taylorcraft DCO-65 accident near Copper City, Michigan, August 14, 2026
On August 14, 2026 at about 11:45 pm local time, a 1943 Taylorcraft DCO-65, registered N48446, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Copper City, Michigan (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 14, 2026 · about 11:45 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Copper City, Michigan · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft DCO-65, built 1943 · all DCO-65s on the register
- Registration
- N48446 · registry record · serial L-5019
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 14, 2026, about 1945 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft DCO-65 airplane, N48446, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Copper City, Michigan. The pilot was seriously injured. The pilot-rated passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot-rated passenger reported that the takeoff was conducted from a grass airstrip with trees located off the end. The pre-takeoff run-up and magneto check were good, and the engine seemed to be performing normally. However, after becoming airborne, the airplane was not climbing, and the airspeed seemed to be near stall. As the trees became closer, the pilot intentionally turned the airplane to avoid a direct collision. During that turn, the airplane stalled and subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane was retained for further examination.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Roam Air LLC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Copper City MI at 11:44 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots, gusting 3
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KCMX, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCMX 132353Z AUTO 34004KT 10SM CLR 22/11 A3003
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N48446 on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Taylorcraft DCO-65 195 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Taylorcraft 1,896 aircraft on the register
- Accidents and incidents in Michigan 2,107 since 1982 · 230 in the last ten years
- Michigan 7,236 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN26LA292.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.