# NTSB ANC94LA065: Taylorcraft F-19, N96330, Wassila-Cheri, AK, June 6, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1994, 18:00 local (Jun 6, 1994, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Wassila-Cheri, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA065

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE COLLECTING IN THE CARBURETOR THROAT AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE EXTENDED WATER TAXI.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER AN EXTENDED WATER TAXI, THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE OFF THE LAKE.  THE PLANE'S ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER POWER AT AN ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  THE PILOT APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT AND BEGAN A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND LAND ON THE LAKE FROM WHICH HE HAD JUST DEPARTED.  DURING THE TURN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO DEVELOP FULL POWER, BUT THE AIRPLANE HAD DESCENDED TOO LOW AND STRUCK SOME TREES BEFORE REACHING THE LAKE.

## Factual narrative

On June 5, 1994, at 1800 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Taylorcraft, F-19 airplane, N96330, experienced a power loss on takeoff from Cheri Lake.  During the turn to reverse direction the engine regained power, but the airplane had descended too low and it struck some trees prior to reaching the lake.  The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 in visual meteorological conditions.  The intended destination of the flight was Anchorage, Alaska.  No flight plan was filed.  The private certificated pilot was uninjured and the aircraft was substantially damaged.

According to the pilot, after an extended water taxi, he took off from the lake and had reached an altitude of approximately 200 ft. when the engine started sputtering.  He applied carburetor heat and began executing a 180 degree turn to return to the lake.  The engine began to produce full power, but the plane struck the trees and crashed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96330](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96330), registered now, S/N 8630, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT F-19
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8630
- Airframe hours: 3942
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Crowell, Dave C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1993, 44 hours before
- Departed: CHERI LAKE, AK
- Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,650 total, 2,600 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19940605032279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940605032279A), Jun 5, 1994: Tcraft F19, Wassila Cheri, AK, Substantial damage. Began takeoff after prolonged water taxi. Engine sputtered on climbout. Began return. Put on carb heat too late.

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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