# NTSB ANC98LA147: Taylorcraft BC12D, N43140, Big Lake, AK, September 11, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1998, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 61.459167, -150.089645 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4592&lon=-150.0896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA147

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,float assembly - sheared

## Analysis

The certificated private pilot was conducting touch and go landings in a float equipped airplane.  The pilot indicated that during the landing approach, the airplane developed a sink rate that 'felt mushy.'  The pilot added engine power and aligned the airplane with the water.  The right wing dropped, and the tip of the right float dug into the water. The right float assembly was torn off the fuselage, and the right wing struck the water. The airplane then sank.

## Factual narrative

On September 11, 1998, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Taylorcraft airplane, N43140, sustained substantial damage while landing on a lake, about 6 miles southeast of Big Lake, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred.  The airplane was operated by the pilot.  The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated from an adjacent lake about 1526.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 12, 1998, at 1300, the pilot said he departed Papoose Lake, and was performing touch and go landings on Crooked Lake.  During the landing touchdown, the tip of the right float dug into the water.  The right float assembly was torn off the fuselage, and the right wing struck the water.  The airplane then sank.

In the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, he indicated that during the landing approach, the airplane developed a sink rate that "felt mushy."  The pilot reported he added engine power and aligned the airplane with the water.  The right wing dropped, and the right float dug into the water.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43140](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43140), registered now, S/N 6799, built 1946 (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: 6799
- Engines: Continental C-85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Hensel
- Registered owner: Vectored Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1998

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 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 19980911023739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980911023739A), Sep 11, 1998: Tcraft BC12D, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on takeoff and sustained substantial damage. (.4) the certificated private pilot was conducting touch and go landings in a float equipped…

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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