Taylorcraft BC-12D accident near Longbranch, Washington, June 12, 1989
On June 12, 1989 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D, registered N39976, was substantially damaged in an accident near Longbranch, Washington. 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 POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION BY THE PILOT TO LAND ON WATER, DOWNWIND. HIS FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND NOSE OVER OF THE AIRPLANE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 1989 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Longbranch, Washington · 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
- N39976 · no longer on the register · serial 6635
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE PRACTICING WATER LANDINGS FOR HIS INITIAL FLOATPLANE RATING, THE RECENTLY CERTIFIED PRIVATE PILOT LOST CONTROL AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON WATER, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND TO THE SOUTH AND A WX OBSERVATION FOR THE AREA LISTED THE WINDS FROM THE NORTHEAST.
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: 99 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 9 in the last 30 days; 40 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,426 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 24, 1989
- Maximum gross weight: 1,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Tacoma WA at 8:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:45 pm from TIW, 8 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.
Other NTSB records under N39976 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.