# NTSB ANC23LA077: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95250, Palmer, AK, September 13, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 12, 2023, 18:30 local (Sep 13, 2023, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.6445, -148.68584 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6445&lon=-148.6858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193070 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193070/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA077 ## Probable cause The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; loss of airplane control; and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while attempting to climb and turn out of a narrow valley in an area of mountainous terrain, the airplane’s control inputs felt sluggish. Realizing that the airplane might stall, the pilot stopped the turn to avoid a stall but continued to climb to avoid rising terrain ahead. Subsequently, the airplane stalled and impacted terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95250](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95250), registered now, S/N 9650, 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: 9650 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: Continental A75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2023 - Departed: PABV, Chugiak, AK - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 11, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 156.2 total, 45 in this make and model, 97.8 as pilot in command, 28.6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.63 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 12 nm away - METAR: PAAQ 130153Z VRB05KT 10SM OVC090 12/05 A2963 RMK AO2 SLP038 T01170050 ## 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 20230912014619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230912014619A), Sep 12, 2023: Taylorcraft BC12-D, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. On 12 September 2023, the pilot flying a taylor craft BC-12D departed lake hood strip (lhd) following an annual inspection and flew to birchwood airport (bcv)… ## Other investigations on N95250 (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 ANC00LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA067), Jun 11, 2000: Taylorcraft BC12-D (N95250), Ninilchik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the take-off run. Factors associated with the accident were rough/uneven, soft terrain. 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.