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WPR11CA432

2011-09-04 · Lancaster, California, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport WJF

Current FAA registration · N43220

Make / Model
TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D
Year of manufacture
1946 · 65 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19580513
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A52D43

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot’s inadequate flare resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision.

Factual narrative

The student pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) completed nine full stop landings. The wind was variable and increasing in intensity. As the airplane approached the runway, the left wing suddenly dropped at 15 feet above ground level, and the airplane veered left. It touched down hard on the left main landing gear, which collapsed. The right side then touched down hard, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airframe buckled below the cockpit. After exiting the airplane, the student pilot noted a strong tail wind. The student pilot’s total time was 40 hours. The student pilot and certified flight instructor were practicing full stop landings. As the airplane approached the runway, about 15 feet above ground level, the left wing suddenly dropped, and the airplane veered left. The airplane touched down hard on the left main landing gear, which collapsed. The right side then touched down hard, and the right main landing gear collapsed. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the airframe buckled below the cockpit and was substantially damaged. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Main landing gear-Damaged/degraded
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Student pilot - C
  • F Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Total experience-Student pilot - F
  • F Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring other person-Instructor/check pilot - F
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2011_WPR11CA432.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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