Taylorcraft BC-65 accident near Kakhonak, Alaska, June 18, 1991
On June 18, 1991 at about 11:26 pm local time, a Taylorcraft BC-65, registered N37611, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kakhonak, Alaska (Kakhonak airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE UNCERTIFICATED PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AND THE PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT BY DRUGS (MARIJUANA) OF THE PILOT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE STALL WHICH WAS NOT IDENTIFIED BY THE NONRATED PILOT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 1991 · about 11:26 pm local time
- Place
- Kakhonak, Alaska · Kakhonak · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BC-65 · all BC-65s on the register
- Registration
- N37611 · no longer on the register · serial 2050
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE MADE A LEFT BANK, STALLED, AND CRASHED INTO THE LAKE APPROXIMATELY 200 YARDS OFFSHORE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT HOLD EITHER A FAA PILOT CERTIFICATE OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. TWO PASSENGERS WERE SITTING IN ONE SEAT; ONE PASSENGER WAS ON THE LAP OF THE OTHER. THE AUTOPSY REPORT SHOWED A HIGH LEVEL OF DRUG CANNABINOIDS (MARIJUANA) WHICH WOULD INDICATE THE PIC HAD BEEN SMOKING IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE CRASH. LEVELS FOUND WERE DELTA 9 C THC: 31 NG./ML; 11 HYDROXY DELTA 9 THC: 6.6 NG./ML.
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
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-65 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 5NK Naknek AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.