Taylorcraft BC12 accident near Buffalo, New York, September 24, 2022
On September 24, 2022 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 1948 Taylorcraft BC12, registered N5619M, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Buffalo, New York (Clarence Aerodrome airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb after a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 24, 2022 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Buffalo, New York · Clarence Aerodrome · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BC12 D85, built 1948 · all BC12s on the register
- Registration
- N5619M · registry record · serial 12019
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The vintage tailwheel airplane was on final approach to the runway in a left crosswind. A witness, who was also president of the airport flying club, was mowing grass adjacent to the runway and saw the accident. He stated that the airplane approached the runway low and was “crabbing hard” to the left. The pilot then initiated a go-around. The engine noise increased, but the airplane attempted a go-around at a 90° left angle to the runway. The airplane cleared trees, experienced a “power on stall,” and descended nose first into a grove. The pilot reported that he was injured in the accident and did not remember anything after being 25 ft over the runway on approach; however, he reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The inspector noted substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.
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 control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,020 hours in all; 830 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 983 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 5, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,980 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 22, 2022; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,280 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-8 (piston); 1,089 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 17NK Rock Stream NY at 3:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,500 ft by 67 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; a few clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 12:54 pm from BUF, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBUF 241654Z 24007KT 10SM FEW035 BKN200 BKN250 16/07 A3003
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on May 11, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Interview Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.