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NTSB Report

September 13, 1993 · Taylorcraft BC12-D · N95608

Puget Bay, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 13, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Puget Bay, AK
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BC12-D
Tail Number
N95608
Operator
Legler Michael D
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC93LA185

THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH FOR A GLASSY WATER LANDING. AS HE MADE A MINOR HEADING CORRECTION IN ORDER TO LAND DIRECTLY INTO THE WIND, THE LEFT FLOAT HIT THE WATER. THE FLOATS WERE TORN FROM THE AIRPLANE WHICH SANK IMMEDIATELY. THE PILOT HAD NOT FILED A FLIGHT PLAN AND WAS NOT RESCUED UNTIL 9 DAYS LATER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS MISJUDGING HIS ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER. A FACTOR WAS THE GLASSY WATER.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 13, 1993, at 1200 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Taylorcraft BC12-D airplane, N95608, crashed while making a glassy water landing on a lake at Puget Bay, located 35 miles southeast of Seward, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Fire Lake at Eagle River, Alaska, at about 1000. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was located and rescued on September 22, 1993. Shortly afterward during a telephone conversation, he stated the following, in part: "I was making a glassy water approach and landing to the lake. When I reached what I thought was about 200 feet above the water, it felt like the wind picked up and shifted a little. As I made a slight turn in order to land directly into the wind, the left float hit the water. The floats were torn off and the airplane sank immediately. I had landed at that lake once previously."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft BC12-D
Tail NumberN95608
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLegler Michael D
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt, gusting 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data