Taylorcraft BC-12D accident near Unalakleet, Alaska, October 24, 1986
On October 24, 1986 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D, registered N95248, was substantially damaged in an accident near Unalakleet, Alaska (Unalakleet airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 24, 1986 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Unalakleet, Alaska · Unalakleet · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BC-12D · all BC-12Ds on the register
- Registration
- N95248 · no longer on the register · serial 9648
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PRIVATE PILOT WITH 14 HOURS EXPERIENCE IN THIS AIRPLANE DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HE DID NOT RECALL DRAINING THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SUMPS AFTER REFUELING FROM EXPOSED FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. CARBURETOR ICE AND PARTICULATE MATTER AND WATER COULD HAVE DEROGATED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. AFTER PWR LOSS DURING INITIAL CLIMB THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT AND LANDED OFF SHORE IN WATER. AFTER RECOVERY THE ENG WA OPERATED. THE DAY OF THE ACC HAD WX COND. FOR CARB ICE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 230 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 170 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 15, 1985
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: GAL Galena AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 8, 2,000 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,500 ft; scat at 900 ft
- Temperature: 25°F (-4°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.