# NTSB NYC87LA239: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N96241, Bingham, ME, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Bingham, ME
- Location: 45.0581° N, 69.8731° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bingham, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0581&lon=-69.8731&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA239

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,rough
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD HE WAS TAKING OFF FROM A LAKE & WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 200-300 FT AGL WHEN THE ACFT ENCTRD A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE FLOAT PLANE COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS RPRTD. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTH AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS. A WITNESS STATED THE ACFT APPEARED TO BE BUFFETED BY WINDS AFTER IT BECAME AIRBORNE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96241](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96241-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 8541, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D
- 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: 8541
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Theodore N. Poirier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1987
- Departed: BINGHAM, ME
- Destination: SCARBOROUGH, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 847 total, 450 in this make and model, 756 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19870823047669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823047669A), Aug 23, 1987: Tcraft BC12D, Bingham, ME, Substantial damage. Failed to climb after water takeoff struck rising terrain. Pilot blamed downdraft. Lake was rough.

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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