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Accidents · NTSB SEA89LA101 · Final report

Taylorcraft BC-12D accident near Vancouver, Washington, June 6, 1989

On June 6, 1989 at about 1:25 am local time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D, registered N96202, was substantially damaged in an accident near Vancouver, Washington (Evergreen airport). It was an instructional 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 PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING GROUND ROLL, RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP AND NOSE OVER. THE CROSSWIND IS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
June 6, 1989 · about 1:25 am local time
Place
Vancouver, Washington · Evergreen · 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
N96202 · no longer on the register · serial 8502
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING MAIN WHEEL LANDINGS IN THE CONVENTIONAL GEAR EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT AND LOST CONTROL DURING GROUND LANDING ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED AND NOSED OVER. A 70 DEGREE, 12 KNOT CROSSWIND EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

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: 304 hours in all; 69 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 244 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: left

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 9,322 hours
  • Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 10, 1989; 15 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Continental A-65-8 (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: 59S Vancouver WA
  • Destination: 59S
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 28, 2,650 ft by 42 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 350° at 12 knots
  • Visibility: 40 statute miles
  • Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
  • Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

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.

Other NTSB records under N96202 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time

1995-05-11SEA95LA098 · accident near Vancouver, WA · substantial damage · serious injuries

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.