# NTSB ANC93LA185: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95608, Puget Bay, AK, September 13, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1993, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Puget Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 60.049556, -149.330673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0496&lon=-149.3307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2434
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2434/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA185

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS MISJUDGING HIS ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER.  A FACTOR WAS THE GLASSY WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH FOR A GLASSY WATER LANDING.  AS HE MADE A MINOR HEADING CORRECTION IN ORDER TO LAND DIRECTLY INTO THE WIND, THE LEFT FLOAT HIT THE WATER.  THE FLOATS WERE TORN FROM THE AIRPLANE WHICH SANK IMMEDIATELY.  THE PILOT HAD NOT FILED A FLIGHT PLAN AND WAS NOT RESCUED UNTIL 9 DAYS LATER.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On September 13, 1993, at 1200 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Taylorcraft BC12-D airplane, N95608, crashed while making a glassy water landing on a lake at Puget Bay, located 35 miles southeast of Seward, Alaska.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The local personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Fire Lake at Eagle River, Alaska, at about 1000.  Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot was located and rescued on September 22, 1993.  Shortly afterward during a telephone conversation, he stated the following, in part:  "I was making a glassy water approach and landing to the lake.  When I reached what I thought was about 200 feet above the water, it felt like the wind picked up and shifted a little.  As I made a slight turn in order to land directly into the wind, the left float hit the water.  The floats were torn off and the airplane sank immediately.  I had landed at that lake once previously."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95608](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95608-2006-09-25), registration cancelled 2006-09-25, S/N 7908, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7908
- Airframe hours: 4150
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Legler, Michael D.
- Registered owner: Legler, Michael D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1992, 50 hours before
- Departed: EAGLE RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 627 total, 550 in this make and model, 609 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19930913039259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930913039259A), Sep 13, 1993: Tcraft BC12D, Puget Bay, AK, Substantial damage. During landing approach to glassy water made low level turn floats hit water and tore off. Trying to turn into wind

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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