# NTSB ANC09CA078: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95723, Anchorage, AK, August 9, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 8, 2009, 20:11 local (Aug 9, 2009, 04:11 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.18, -149.971939 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1800&lon=-149.9719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - East Operations - NTSB case key (mKey): 74493 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74493/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74493 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA078 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to remain clear of the propeller after starting the float-equipped airplane's engine by hand-propping. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010000): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010000/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot related that he was preparing to depart on a local personal flight, operating under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. He wrote in his report to the NTSB that he was attempting to start the float-equipped airplane's engine while standing on the left float by hand-propping when he was struck by the prop. The pilot stated “I swung the prop, the engine caught, and the aircraft swung slightly left in a collision course with the dock.” The pilot received serious injury when he stuck his leg in the path of the propeller while attempting to prevent the airplane from colliding with the dock. He indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented if he had started the airplane by standing on the right float as he normally does, or by shutting the engine off before trying to avoid the collision. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot related that he was preparing to depart on a local personal flight, operating under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. He wrote in his report to the NTSB that he was attempting to start the float-equipped airplane's engine while standing on the left float by hand-propping when he was struck by the prop. The pilot stated “I swung the prop, the engine caught, and the aircraft swung slightly left in a collision course with the dock.” The pilot received serious injury when he stuck his leg in the path of the propeller while attempting to prevent the airplane from colliding with the dock. He indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented if he had started the airplane by standing on the right float as he normally does, or by shutting the engine off before trying to avoid the collision. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95723](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95723), registered now, S/N 8023, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 8023 - Airframe hours: 4150 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ferris David P - Registered owner: Ferris David P - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2008 - Departed: LHD, Anchorage, AK - Destination: LHD, Anchorage, AK - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: LHD, Lake Hood Seaplane Base ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 10, 2009; flight hours: 850 total, 240 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090808048079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090808048079A), Aug 8, 2009: Taylorcraft BC12-D, Anchorage, AK, Minor damage. The airman was attempting to hand prop the float equipped aircraft while standing on the floats in the water. During the start process the propeller struck the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74493. 623 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 623 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320003&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.