# NTSB SEA87LA115: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43944, Ketchikan, AK, June 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1987, 17:30 local (Jun 13, 1987, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Coordinates: 55.609714, -131.579086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6097&lon=-131.5791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA115

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A HARD LANDING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON SMOOTH, GLASSY WATER. THE LANDING GEAR FLOAT RIGGING BROKE ON IMPACT WHICH ALLOWED THE ACFT TO ENTER THE WATER. THE ACFT FILLED WITH WATER AND SANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43944](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43944-1990-03-28), registration cancelled 1990-03-28, S/N 7603 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7603
- Airframe hours: 3202
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Allan W. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1987, 25 hours before
- Departed: KETCHIKAN, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 493 total, 361 in this make and model, 433 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN, 25 nm away

## 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 19870612020209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870612020209A), Jun 12, 1987: Tcraft STCBC, Ketchikan, AK, Destroyed. The float equipped aircraft struck the water slightly nose low and nosed over. Glassy water.

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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