# NTSB SEA88LA186: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N96248, Seattle, WA, September 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1988, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.539344, -122.309074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5393&lon=-122.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40893
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40893/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA186

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT RECEIVED ATIS INFO WHICH ADVISED OF GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING SEATTLE RADIO(FSS) FOR FURTHER INFO. PLT DID NOT CONTACT FSS AND INITIATED TAKEOFF. AT 100-200 FT AGL, ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE, PITCHED UP, ROLLED OFF ON A WING TO NOSEDOWN ATTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH RUNWAY SURFACE. THE WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 18 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96248](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96248-1996-09-25), registration cancelled 1996-09-25, S/N 8548 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8548
- Airframe hours: 2967
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James H. Covey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1988, 50 hours before
- Destination: S43, SNOHOMISH, WA
- Airport: BFI, Boeing Field, runway 13L, 3,710 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,314 total, 1,067 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI

## 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 19880923040279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880923040279A), Sep 23, 1988: Tcraft BC12D, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. Wind shear warning but departed anyway. Aircraft pitched down, rolled and crashed on runway.

## Other investigations on N96248 (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW76FPM17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FPM17), Apr 11, 1976: Taylorcraft BC12-D (N96248), Vian, OK, destroyed

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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