# NTSB ANC14CA027: Taylorcraft BC12 D, N64518, Wasilla, AK, May 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 4, 2014, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Coordinates: 61.613609, -149.673049 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6136&lon=-149.6730&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89171 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89171/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89171 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in a turbulence encounter at low altitude and collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of knowledge of local wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Knowledge: knowledge of meteorologic cond](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020/cases.md) - [Turbulence: terrain induced turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing from a private grass airstrip in his tailwheel equipped airplane. He stated that there was a slight breeze out of the north. As the airplane climbed above the tree line he encountered a rotor and downdraft and was unable to continue climbing. He elected to set the airplane in an area of trees, resulting in substantial damage to the wing lift struts. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident Reporting Form 6120.1, he also stated that he had just started flying from the airstrip, and was not familiar with the local conditions. After the accident, he learned that there is often a wind shift/rotor that occurs near the tree line at the midfield point of the airstrip. ## Factual narrative The pilot was departing from a private grass airstrip in his tailwheel equipped airplane. He stated that there was a slight breeze out of the north. As the airplane climbed above the tree line he encountered a rotor and downdraft and was unable to continue climbing. He elected to set the airplane in an area of trees, resulting in substantial damage to the wing lift struts. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident Reporting Form 6120.1, he also stated that he had just started flying from the airstrip, and was not familiar with the local conditions. After the accident, he learned that there is often a wind shift/rotor that occurs near the tree line at the midfield point of the airstrip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64518](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64518), registered now, S/N 6913, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12 D (D) - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6913 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1454 - Engines: Contental O200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2014, 0 hours before - Departed: 6AK8, Wasilla, AK - Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK - Airport: 6AK8, Tulakes, runway 36, 1,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 18, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 373.2 total, 289.7 in this make and model, 299.1 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: PAWS, 5 nm away ## 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 20140504005849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140504005849A), May 4, 2014: Taylorcraft BC12-D, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot took off from Tulakes strip in Wasilla. After clearing the tops of the trees, he stated that the aircraft lost lift due to what he described as wind… ## Other investigations on N64518 (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC22LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA032), Apr 20, 2022: Taylorcraft BC12-D (N64518), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on final approach to landing which resulted in an impact with a snow berm and a nose over. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89171. 719 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 719 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.