# NTSB ANC92LA085: Taylorcraft F-19, N3550T, Suckling Hills, AK, June 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1992, 16:25 local (Jun 3, 1992, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Suckling Hills, AK
- Coordinates: 60.789352, -145.610168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7894&lon=-145.6102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5735/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA085

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RISING TERRAIN.

## 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
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A REMOTE AREA STRIP INTO RISING TERRAIN, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A TURN THEN STALLED AND CRASHED.  THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A SEARCH MISSION FOR A MISSING AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3550T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3550T-1992-11-16), registration cancelled 1992-11-16, S/N F009 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT F-19
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft F19](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-f19) (registry code 8850904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F-009
- Airframe hours: 1650
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Keith E. Nelson
- Registered owner: Keith E. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1991, 66 hours before
- Destination: CKU, CORDOVA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 520 total, 423 in this make and model, 469 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDV, 75 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 19920602017919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920602017919A), Jun 2, 1992: Tcraft F19, Suckling Hills, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stalled avoiding rising terrain after departing remote strip on search mission. 3 full 5 gallon cans fuel onboard.

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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