# NTSB SEA86LA141: Taylorcraft BCM-12D-85, N96336, Ketchikan, AK, June 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1986, 15:43 local (23:43 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Coordinates: 55.609092, -131.580154 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6091&lon=-131.5802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40419/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA141

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - landing gear,float assembly - separation (cause)
  - landing gear,float assembly - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE PLT FELT A SUDDEN HARD JOLT WHILE IN CRUISE FLT. THE ACFT ASSUMED A NOSE LOW, LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE WHICH THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT BY USE OF POWER AND CONTROL INPUTS. THE ACFT WAS AT A LOW ALTITUDE DUE TO WEATHER. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER IN A LEFT WING DOWN, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE SHORTLY AFTER THE LOSS OF CONTROL. AFTER THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT FLOAT HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED PRE-EXISTING FATIGUE CRACKING OF TWO STEEL MEMBERS. THE LOW TENSILE STRENGTH AND MARGINAL QUALITY OF THE STEEL CONTRIBUTED TO THE EARLY FAILURE OF THE FITTNG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96336](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96336-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 8636 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BCM-12D-85
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BCS12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bcs12-d) (registry code 8850318) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8636
- Airframe hours: 8087
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles P. Mcgee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1985, 139 hours before
- Departed: WILSON ARM, AK
- Destination: 5KE, KECHIKAN, AK
- Airport: 5KE, Ketchikan Harbor Spb, runway 13, 10,000 × 150 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,459 total, 139 in this make and model, 3,902 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN

## 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 19860607075959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860607075959A), Jun 7, 1986: Tcraft STCBC, Ketchikan, AK, Destroyed. Lost control when a float broke loose in flight. Crashed into the water. Attachment had failed from fatigue.

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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