# NTSB DEN85LA039: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N96059, Conrad, MT, December 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1984, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Conrad, MT
- Location: 48.1741° N, 111.9466° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Conrad, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1741&lon=-111.9466&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA039

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

PLT STATED TAKEOFF WAS BEING MADE ON A DIRT TRAIL, HEADING 270 DEGREES, WITH A 20 KT HEADWIND. JUST PRIOR TO ROTATION WIND SHIFTED TO A DIRECTION FROM THE SOUTH-SOUTHWEST. ACFT DRIFTED OFF RIGHT SIDE OF TRAIL, CONTACTED A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96059](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96059-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 8359, 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
- Serial number: 8359
- Airframe hours: 2108
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bill Gollehon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 15, 1984, 15 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 164 total, 34 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19841209068189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841209068189A), Dec 9, 1984: Tcraft BC12D, Conrad, MT, Substantial damage. Wind shifted just before rotation. Drifted off dirt trail used as a runway, hit a ditch and nosed over.

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.