# NTSB ANC96LA038: Taylorcraft BC12D, N39966, Palmer, AK, March 26, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1996, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.619712, -148.980285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6197&lon=-148.9803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA038

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot was on a round trip personal flight around the Lake George Glacier area.  During the flight he elected to land on an unimproved airstrip near the base of the Knik Glacier.  During his overflight of the landing area he estimated the snow to be hard packed and 1 to 2 inches deep.  Upon landing the airplane rolled about 95 to 110 feet and then nosed over.  The pilot later estimated the snow to be 4 inches deep.

## Factual narrative

On March 26, 1996, at 1915 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Taylorcraft, model BC12D, N39966, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over during landing on an unimproved landing strip near the base of the Knik Glacier located near Palmer, Alaska.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Anderson Lake, near Wasilla, Alaska, for a local flight.  During the flight the pilot decided to land at the unimproved landing strip.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The certificated private pilot and his passenger were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage.

During a telephone conversation with the pilot on March 27, 1996, he stated that the unimproved landing strip was snow covered.  During his aerial examination of the landing area, he thought the snow was 1 to 2 inches deep and very hard packed because of the distinct snowmobile tracks.  Upon landing the airplane rolled for 95 to 110 feet and then nosed over.  After landing, the pilot estimated the depth of the snow to be 4 inches.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39966](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39966), registered now, S/N 6625, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BC12D
- 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: 6625
- Airframe hours: 1515
- Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jason Schmidt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1995, 26 hours before
- Departed: ANDERSON LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 141 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19960326005269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960326005269A), Mar 26, 1996: Tcraft BC12D, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on landing. (.4)the pilot was on a round trip personal flight around the lake george glacier area. During the flight he elected to land on an…

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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