# NTSB GAA18CA533: Taylorcraft BC12, N95514, Cut Bank, MT, September 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2018, 19:20 local (Sep 5, 2018, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Cut Bank, MT - Coordinates: 48.659721, -112.496109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6597&lon=-112.4961&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98244 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA533 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98244/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98244 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA533 ## 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95514), registered now, S/N 7814, 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: 7814 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 5025.5 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; 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 ## 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 20180904013119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180904013119A), Sep 4, 2018: Taylorcraft BC12-D, Cut Bank, MT, Substantial damage. The pilot attempted to make a low altitude turn in a remote area near a home when the airplane struck a power/telephone wire. This resulted in a crash landing… ## Other investigations on N95514 (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA73DYE34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73DYE34), May 17, 1973: Taylorcraft BC12-D (N95514), Bellevue, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98244. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469027&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469028&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469029&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.