# NTSB CHI98LA117: Taylorcraft BC12-65, N34066, Vernillion, SD, April 5, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1998, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Vernillion, SD
- Coordinates: 42.780475, -96.92015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7805&lon=-96.9202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA117

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure (or inability) to properly compensate for wind conditions, while taxiing.  Factors associated with the accident were: the sandy terrain, and the gusty tailwind condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - from landing
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot landed the airplane on runway 12, a gravel airstrip. He reported the winds were out of the south at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. He stated that after landing, the main landing gear contacted sand, while he was making a 180 degree turn to back taxi. The tail of the airplane rose, when the sand was contacted, and the wind caught the tail, resulting in the airplane nosing over.

## Factual narrative

On April 5, 1998, at 1200 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-65, N34066, operated by a commercial pilot nosed over while taxing at the Davidson Airport, Vermillion, South Dakota.  The pilot was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan.  The flight originated from the Vermillion Airport shortly before the accident.

The pilot reported that after a 1.5 hour local flight he entered the traffic pattern for runway 12 at the Davidson Airport to assess the wind conditions.  He reported the winds were from the south so he elected to land on gravel runway 21.  He reported that after landing the main landing gear contacted sand as he was turning around to back taxi on the runway.  The pilot reported, "The tail rose and the wind picked it up and turned the aircraft over."

The airplane came to rest inverted damaging the propeller, rudder, and one wing strut.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34066](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34066), registered now, S/N 2930, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BC12-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-65) (registry code 8850310) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2930
- Airframe hours: 2796
- Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David D. Howard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1997, 76 hours before
- Departed: VMR
- Destination: VMR
- Airport: VMR, Harold Davidson Field, runway 21, 1,400 × 40 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 465 total, 19 in this make and model, 291 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast

## 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 19980405005909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980405005909A), Apr 5, 1998: Tcraft BC1265, Vermlillion, SD, Substantial damage. Landed on sod along runway due crosswind. Wind got under tail. Tcraft nosed over. Type easily flipped by tailwind. (.4)the pilot landed the airplane on runway…

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.

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