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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 7, 1986 · Taylorcraft BCM-12D-85 · N96336

Ketchikan, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Ketchikan, AK
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BCM-12D-85
Tail Number
N96336
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA86LA141

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.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:43 AKDT
Nearest AirportKetchikan Harbor Spb (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft BCM-12D-85
Tail NumberN96336
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · 85-12-F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 20 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data