# NTSB ANC91LA076: Taylorcraft BC-65, N37611, Kakhonak, AK, June 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1991, 15:26 local (23:26 UTC)
- Place: Kakhonak, AK
- Coordinates: 59.859409, -154.0298 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8594&lon=-154.0298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA076

## Probable cause

THE UNCERTIFICATED PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AND THE PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT BY DRUGS (MARIJUANA) OF THE PILOT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE STALL WHICH WAS NOT IDENTIFIED BY THE NONRATED PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not identified, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, unqualified person
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE MADE A LEFT BANK, STALLED, AND CRASHED INTO THE LAKE APPROXIMATELY 200 YARDS OFFSHORE.  THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT HOLD EITHER A FAA PILOT CERTIFICATE OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  TWO PASSENGERS WERE SITTING IN ONE SEAT; ONE PASSENGER WAS ON THE LAP OF THE OTHER.  THE AUTOPSY REPORT SHOWED A HIGH LEVEL OF DRUG CANNABINOIDS (MARIJUANA) WHICH WOULD INDICATE THE PIC HAD BEEN SMOKING IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE CRASH. LEVELS FOUND WERE DELTA 9 C THC: 31 NG./ML; 11 HYDROXY DELTA 9 THC: 6.6 NG./ML.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37611](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37611-1993-02-26), registration cancelled 1993-02-26, S/N 2050 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc-65) (registry code 8850306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2050
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Hester
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: 5NK, NAKNEK, AK
- Airport: 9K2, Kakhonak

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910618026459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910618026459A), Jun 18, 1991: Tcraft BC65, Kakhonak, AK, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Stalled after takeoff into water,three people,225LBS baggage on two place aircraft. PIC no pilot or medical cert.

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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