# NTSB GAA15CA174: Pilatus PC12, N220CL, Belgrade, MT, July 8, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 8, 2015, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Belgrade, MT - Coordinates: 45.785831, -111.163612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7858&lon=-111.1636&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91532/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91532 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA174 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of pitch control during an instructional maneuver, which resulted in a tail strike during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Stall warn/stick-shaker/pusher](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430); cases with it: [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a pilot competency checkride, while on downwind in the traffic pattern, the pilot reported that the examiner requested a zero flap, power off, 180 degree approach and landing. As the airplane arrived at the threshold, the pilot noted higher than normal airspeed and a greater than normal approach angle of attack. The pilot increased the angle of attack until the stick shaker activated and then performed a go around maneuver. During the go around, the tail struck the runway, but the pilot reported that he did not remember feeling the tail touch the runway. After the go around, the pilot completed the maneuver without incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder during the tailstrike. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During a pilot competency checkride, while on downwind in the traffic pattern, the pilot reported that the examiner requested a zero flap, power off, 180 degree approach and landing. As the airplane arrived at the threshold, the pilot noted higher than normal airspeed and a greater than normal approach angle of attack. The pilot increased the angle of attack until the stick shaker activated and then performed a go around maneuver. During the go around, the tail struck the runway, but the pilot reported that he did not remember feeling the tail touch the runway. After the go around, the pilot completed the maneuver without incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder during the tailstrike. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N220CL (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PILATUS PC12 (45) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 364 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 3761 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-67B 1600 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Montana Aircraft Inc - Registered owner: Bozeman Technology Incubator Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2015 - Departed: BZN, Belgrade, MT - Destination: BZN, Belgrade, MT - Airport: BZN, Bozeman Yellowstone Intl, runway 12, 8,994 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 28, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,670 total, 130 in this make and model, 1,842 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Check pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 14,800 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KBZN ## 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 20150708011029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150708011029A), Jul 8, 2015: Pilatus PC-12/45, Bozeman, MT, Substantial damage. On July 8, 2015, at 1730 MST, a Pilatus PC-12/45 was conducting a simulated engine failure with a no flaps approach to the airport, runway 12. The pilot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91532. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot’s Statement (item 2, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431585&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%E2%80%99s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Right side view of rudder (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 430 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431586&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20side%20view%20of%20rudder%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Left side view of rudder (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 512 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20side%20view%20of%20rudder%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.