Event ANC96LA038

Factual narrative

On March 26, 1996, at 1915 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Taylorcraft, model BC12D, N39966, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over during landing on an unimproved landing strip near the base of the Knik Glacier located near Palmer, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Anderson Lake, near Wasilla, Alaska, for a local flight. During the flight the pilot decided to land at the unimproved landing strip. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot and his passenger were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on March 27, 1996, he stated that the unimproved landing strip was snow covered. During his aerial examination of the landing area, he thought the snow was 1 to 2 inches deep and very hard packed because of the distinct snowmobile tracks. Upon landing the airplane rolled for 95 to 110 feet and then nosed over. After landing, the pilot estimated the depth of the snow to be 4 inches. The pilot was on a round trip personal flight around the Lake George Glacier area. During the flight he elected to land on an unimproved airstrip near the base of the Knik Glacier. During his overflight of the landing area he estimated the snow to be hard packed and 1 to 2 inches deep. Upon landing the airplane rolled about 95 to 110 feet and then nosed over. The pilot later estimated the snow to be 4 inches deep. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12