# NTSB ANC87LA072: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N96857, Soldotna, AK, May 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1987, 19:00 local (May 25, 1987, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.319835, -150.790573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3198&lon=-150.7906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA072

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE 280 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT WAS OBSERVED DOING STEEPLY BANKED TURNS IN EXCESS OF 90 DEGREES, INSIDE LOOPS AND OTHER AEROBATIC MANEUVERS, PRIOR TO ENTERING A SPIN AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 1500 TO 2000 FEET. THE AIRPLANE COMPLETED APPROXIMATELY 8 TURNS PRIOR TO SPIN RECOVERY AND STRUCK TREES DURING THE PULL-UP PHASE OF THE RECOVERY. THE PILOT REMAINED CONSCIOUS AND WAS ABLE TO CRAWL AWAY FROM HIS BADLY DAMAGED AIRPLANE. A VIDEO CAMERA INSIDE THE AIRPLANE RECORDED THE AEROBATICS AND CRASH SCENARIO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96857](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96857-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 9157, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A80 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a80-series) (registry code 17006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9157
- Airframe hours: 1500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeremy S. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1986, 200 hours before
- Departed: SOLDOTNA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 208 in this make and model, 253 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ENA, 10 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 19870524015889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870524015889A), May 24, 1987: Tcraft STCBC, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck trees immediately following recovery from a spin maneuver.

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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