Taylorcraft BC-12D N69MA

Summary

On 28 November 1992 at about 19:30 local time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D registered N69MA, operated by Ernst, Donald E., was involved in an accident near Huslia, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 November 1992 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Huslia, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Huslia (HSL)

Coordinates

65.6903, -156.3509

Aircraft

Taylorcraft BC-12D

Registration

N69MA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Ernst, Donald E.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

ANC93LA017

1 person had minor injuries.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER GLIDEPATH DUE TO LOSS OF VISUAL CUES OVER SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN SHADOW OF SETTING SUN. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE REDUCED LIGHT OF DUSK AND THE REDUCTION OF VISUAL PERCEPTION OF THE PILOT IN CIVIL TWILIGHT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT EXECUTED A NORMAL TOUCH AND GO IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT AT A SNOW COVERED AIRPORT, FOLLOWED BY THE DOWNWIND LEG DIRECTLY INTO THE BRIGHT SETTING ARTIC SUN. AT THE TIME THE AIRPLANE TURNED TO FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT TURNED AWAY FROM THE SUN, SUNSET OCCURRED AND THE SHADOW OF CIVIL TWILIGHT PASSED ACROSS THE THRESHOLD OF THE LANDING RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO THE SHADOW, REDUCING THE VISUAL CUES SUFFICEINT FOR DEPTH PERCEPTION. THE PILOT COULD NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE UNDERSHOOT BUT BELIEVED 'IT MUST HAVE BEEN A WINDSHEAR.' THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, VISIBILITY UNLIMITED, A STEADY HEADWIND OF 8 TO 10 KNOTS, AND TEMPERATURE AT MINUS 11 DEGREES (F).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.