# NTSB ANC93LA017: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N69MA, Huslia, AK, November 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1992, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Huslia, AK
- Coordinates: 65.690299, -156.350921 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.6903&lon=-156.3509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5853/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA017

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER GLIDEPATH DUE TO LOSS OF VISUAL CUES OVER SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN SHADOW OF SETTING SUN.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE REDUCED LIGHT OF DUSK AND THE REDUCTION OF VISUAL PERCEPTION OF THE PILOT IN CIVIL TWILIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXECUTED A NORMAL TOUCH AND GO IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT AT A SNOW COVERED AIRPORT, FOLLOWED BY THE DOWNWIND LEG DIRECTLY INTO THE BRIGHT SETTING ARTIC SUN. AT THE TIME THE AIRPLANE TURNED TO FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT TURNED AWAY FROM THE SUN, SUNSET OCCURRED AND THE SHADOW OF CIVIL TWILIGHT PASSED ACROSS THE THRESHOLD OF THE LANDING RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO THE SHADOW, REDUCING THE VISUAL CUES SUFFICEINT FOR DEPTH PERCEPTION. THE PILOT COULD NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE UNDERSHOOT BUT BELIEVED 'IT MUST HAVE BEEN A WINDSHEAR.' THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, VISIBILITY UNLIMITED, A STEADY HEADWIND OF 8 TO 10 KNOTS, AND TEMPERATURE AT MINUS 11 DEGREES (F).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69MA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N69MA), registered now, S/N 6902 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6902
- Airframe hours: 3210
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ernst, Donald E.
- Registered owner: Ernst, Donald E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1992, 198 hours before
- Departed: HSL
- Airport: HSL, Huslia, runway 3, 3,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 204 total, 113 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -11 °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 19921128048459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921128048459A), Nov 28, 1992: Tcraft BC12D, Huslia, AK, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway and overturned in deep snow. Sun had just set.

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.