Event IAD96LA073

Factual narrative

On May 9, 1996, at about 1150 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BCS-65 seaplane, N29591, operated by Lakes Region Flying Service, collided with trees while circling to land on a lake in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, at about 1130. The pilot stated that when he landed the seaplane on the lake just prior to the accident flight, he noted that the water was quite rough. Because the winds were strong, he decided that he would need assistance to tie off the aircraft at the dock. However, when he approached the dock, there was no one around to help. The pilot said that since the seaplane was not equipped with a communication radio, he was unable to radio for assistance. He elected to takeoff again and circle the lake in an attempt to get someone's attention to assist in docking the airplane. The pilot planned to circle the lake while changing the throttle settings to signal for help from ground personnel. After the second trip around the lake, he realized that the seaplane was loosing altitude, so he raised the nose of the seaplane, then pushed the throttle in "...too rapidly." The pilot reported that he believed the airplane stalled. The airplane impacted trees and the ground. Witnesses said that although they were not specifically paying attention to the airplane, they did not recall hearing any unusual sounds until the aircraft struck some trees and crashed. While the pilot was circling the lake in an attempt to get someone's attention to assist him in docking the seaplane, the seaplane collided with trees, and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot stated that while circling the airplane lost altitude and in an attempt to regain altitude the airplane stalled. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12