# NTSB CHI99LA010: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95196, Duluth, MN, October 22, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1998, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Duluth, MN
- Coordinates: 47.050357, -92.070846 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0504&lon=-92.0708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA010

## Probable cause

The inadequate airspeed by the pilot-in-command.  Contributing factors were the gusts and the trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
- In flight collision with object, climb

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the winds were increasing while performing takeoff and landings.  He stated that on climb out, he experienced a wind shear that placed him into the tree tops of a pine forest.  Postaccident investigation revealed no anomalies with the aircraft.

## Factual narrative

On October 22, 1998, at 1500 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D Float, N95196, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with trees during climb.  The pilot reported encountering wind shear or gusts while performing a series of take-off and landings.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The local flight departed Sky Harbor Airport, Duluth, Minnesota, at 1300, to practice take off and landings at Fredenberg Lake, Duluth, Minnesota.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that the winds were increasing while performing takeoff and landings on Fredenberg Lake.  He stated that on climb out, at an airspeed of 75 mph over the southwestern shore, he experienced a wind shear that placed him into the tree tops of a pine forest.  The pilot stated that the aircraft slid down the trees, landed tail first, and then came to rest on the tail and left wing tip.  The pilot further reported that he should have landed when he first noticed gusty conditions.

Postaccident investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no anomalies with the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95196](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95196-2002-03-04), registration cancelled 2002-03-04, S/N 9596, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BC12-D
- 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
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Earl K Johnson

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 280° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLH

## 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 19981022029989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981022029989A), Oct 22, 1998: Tcraft BC12D, Duluth, MN, Substantial damage. Acft is wedged between two trees in a grove of pine trees and is hanging upside down. (-23) shortly after takeoff from fredenberg lake, aircraft experienced a…

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.