# NTSB ANC85LA122: Taylorcraft DF-65, N47757, Eklutna, AK, July 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1985, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Eklutna, AK
- Location: 61.4581° N, 149.3622° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eklutna, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4581&lon=-149.3622&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA122

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT LANDED HARD, COLLAPSING BOTH MAIN LANDING GEAR AFTER MAKING A STEEP APCH TO A SHORT AREA ON A GRAVEL ROAD. PLT WAS LANDING TO DRAIN SOME ACFT FUEL OUT IN ORDER TO GET BETTER CLIMB PERFORMANCE FOR A MOUNTAIN SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47757](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47757-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 6018, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT DF-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft DF-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-df-65) (registry code 8850416) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC176B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac176b-series) (registry code 27006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6018
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas S. Choate
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 25, 1985, 12 hours before
- Departed: Z15, CHUGIAK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 171 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19850710030479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850710030479A), Jul 10, 1985: Tcrafk DF65TCRAFT, Eklutna, AK, Substantial damage. Hard landing on gravel road broke both main gear off.

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.