# NTSB CHI92LA049: Taylorcraft BC12D, N44061, Decorah, IA, November 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1991, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Decorah, IA
- Coordinates: 43.300148, -91.790977 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3001&lon=-91.7910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA049

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, SNOW COVERED RUNWAY, AND SNOWBANKS ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A SNOW COVERED PRIVATE STRIP, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO A SUDDEN WIND SHIFT.  THE AIRCRAFT VEERED INTO AN ADJACENT SNOWBANK AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44061](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44061), registered now, S/N 9861, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9861
- Airframe hours: 1995
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dale A. Hgenson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1990, 105 hours before
- Destination: DEH
- Airport: UNK, Private, runway 35, 1,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 360 total, 220 in this make and model, 92 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19911127057649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911127057649A), Nov 27, 1991: Tcraft BC12D, Decorah, IA, Substantial damage. Lost control, veered off runway and overturned in a snowbank while attempting takeoff in excessive gusty crosswind.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.