Taylorcraft BC-12D accident near Soldotna, Alaska, May 25, 1987
On May 25, 1987 at about 3:00 am local time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D, registered N96857, was substantially damaged in an accident near Soldotna, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. 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
- May 25, 1987 · about 3:00 am local time
- Place
- Soldotna, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BC-12D · all BC-12Ds on the register
- Registration
- N96857 · no longer on the register · serial 9157
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE 280 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT WAS OBSERVED DOING STEEPLY BANKED TURNS IN EXCESS OF 90 DEGREES, INSIDE LOOPS AND OTHER AEROBATIC MANEUVERS, PRIOR TO ENTERING A SPIN AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 1500 TO 2000 FEET. THE AIRPLANE COMPLETED APPROXIMATELY 8 TURNS PRIOR TO SPIN RECOVERY AND STRUCK TREES DURING THE PULL-UP PHASE OF THE RECOVERY. THE PILOT REMAINED CONSCIOUS AND WAS ABLE TO CRAWL AWAY FROM HIS BADLY DAMAGED AIRPLANE. A VIDEO CAMERA INSIDE THE AIRPLANE RECORDED THE AEROBATICS AND CRASH SCENARIO.
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: 280 hours in all; 208 in this make and model; 190 in the last 90 days; 253 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,500 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 1986; 200 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Soldotna AK at 9:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:00 pm from ENA, 10 miles away
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.