# NTSB ANC83FA127: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95261, Anchorage, AK, July 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1983, 19:20 local (Jul 20, 1983, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.160182, -149.989486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1602&lon=-149.9895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA127

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE TOOK OFF TO THE SOUTHEAST INTO A WIND OF 10 GUSTING 15 KTS. AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE TURNED TO AVOID HOUSES ON THE SOUTHEASTERN SHORELINE. AFTER HE WAS IN A LEFT CLIMBING TURN, THE ACFT BEGAN DESCENDING TOWARD THE LAKE. TO AVOID STALLING, THE PLT LOWERED THE NOSE TO GAIN AIRSPEED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE IMPACTED IN SHALLOW WATER WHILE IN A NOSE LOW, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE PLT STATED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES ACCORDING TO OTHER PLTS THAT FREQUENTLY OPERATED FROM THE LAKE, THERE WERE OCCASSIONAL DOWNDRAFTS ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE HILL NEAR THE SOUTHEASTERN SHORELINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95261](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95261-2014-09-03), registration cancelled 2014-09-03, S/N 9661, 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: 9661
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William K. Evans
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: KING LAKE, AK
- Airport: Campbell Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19830719038969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830719038969A), Jul 19, 1983: Tcraft BC12D, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. The float equipped aircraft encountered a downdraft and impacted a lake on takeoff.

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.

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