- Date
- September 4, 2018, 19:20 local (Sep 5, 2018, 01:20 UTC)
- Place
- Cut Bank, MT
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N95514Taylorcraft BC12
- Defining event
- Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Status
- Completed · report March 18, 2019
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- General Aviation Accidents
- Parties
- FAA
- FAA report
- 20180904013119A
- Case key
- 98244
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power wires while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to determine the airplane’s altitude due to sun glare.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that, while flying west to check some fields and circle a friend's house, he began a right, descending turn about 200 ft above ground level. He added that he was aware of power wires in the area, but the sun was in his eyes, and the airplane was lower than he thought. The airplane struck power wires and then impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that, while flying west to check some fields and circle a friend's house, he began a right, descending turn about 200 ft above ground. He added that he was aware of power wires in the area, but the sun was in his eyes and the airplane was lower than he thought. The airplane struck power wires and the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N95514
- Reported as
- Taylorcraft BC12 (D)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 7814
- Built
- 1946
- Airframe hours
- 5,025.5
- Engine
- Continental C65, 75 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · May 31, 2018
- Departed
- CTB · Cut Bank, MT
- Destination
- CTB · Cut Bank, MT
- Equipment
- None
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 25
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Without waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- January 27, 2018
- Seat
- Left
- Restraint
- Lap only
- Flight hours
- 62 total · 17 in this make and model · 30 as pilot in command · 17 in the last 90 days · 14 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Wind
- 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 55 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.22 inHg
- Observed at
- KCTB, 6 nm away
Docket · 3
The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2018, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 5.1 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N95514 · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.