# NTSB ANC25LA039: Taylorcraft BC12-D1, N44473, Willow, AK, May 18, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 18, 2025, 14:12 local (22:12 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK - Coordinates: 61.63798, -150.37179 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6380&lon=-150.3718&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - 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 FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200181 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200181/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200181 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent application of brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing on a sandy gravel bar in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the airplane bounced slightly during touchdown. Subsequently, the pilot inadvertently applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing lift strut, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44473](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44473), registered now, S/N 10273, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D1 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d1) (registry code 8850320) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10273 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3085.53 - Engines: Continental O200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 2025, 10.5 hours before - Departed: 2D3, Palmer, AK - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 12, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 465.7 total, 340.3 in this make and model, 396.5 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 8.3 in the last 30 days, 1.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: AWS, 24 nm away - METAR: PAWS 182156Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN075 13/06 A2982 RMK AO2 SLPNO T01330061 ## 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 20250518014869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250518014869A), May 18, 2025: Taylorcraft BC12-D1, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot attempted a landing on a sandbar, bounced on initial contact, and after making contact a second time, the airplane flipped end over end, landing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200181. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18824039&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA039%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18824975&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA039%20Photos-Rel.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.