# NTSB DEN81FA021: Tavlorcraft BC-12D, N96689, Stevensville, MT, March 14, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 14, 1981
- Place: Stevensville, MT · STEVENSVILLE, MT
- Location: 46.5071° N, 114.0887° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stevensville, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5071&lon=-114.0887&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81FA021
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA021

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0214  81/3/14  NR.STEVENSVILLE,MT    TAVLORCRAFT BC-12D  CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 38, 450
        TIME - 1112                    N96689              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MISSOULA,MT                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- HIT PWR LINES 40-45FT OVR RIVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96689](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96689-1984-07-21), registration cancelled 1984-07-21, S/N 8989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAVLORCRAFT BC-12D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810314009529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810314009529A), Mar 14, 1981: Tcraft BC12D, Stevensville, MT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Flew over area at tree-top height. Struck power-lines stretched across river.

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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