Probable cause
The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for taxi, which resulted in the airplane encountering a crevasse.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while departing from the off-airport snow-covered glacier, he was not comfortable with the acceleration of the tailwheel-ski-equipped airplane and aborted the takeoff. He then began a back taxi and allowed the airplane to make a wide radius turn. Subsequently, during the turn the airplane dropped vertically into an unseen crevasse.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing lift struts.
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC21LA023 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 4, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Palmer, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Taylorcraft BC12-D
- N-number
- N43300
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1946
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.