Taylorcraft BC12-D N96552

Summary

On 18 April 2009 at about 17:30 local time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D registered N96552 was involved in an accident near Southbridge, Massachusetts, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 April 2009 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Southbridge, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Southbridge Municipal Airport (3B0)

Coordinates

42.0804, -72.0301

Aircraft

Taylorcraft BC12-D

Registration

N96552

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Southbridge → Sterling

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09CA251

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the pilot raised the tail of his tailwheel-equipped airplane during the takeoff roll on runway 2, successive gusts of wind caused the airplane to "weathervane" to the left. The airplane did not respond to the pilot's input of "full right rudder" and continued off the side of the runway. The pilot, expecting that he would roll onto the grass, reduced the power to idle. As he rolled onto the grass a gust of wind lifted the tail of the airplane higher; the propeller struck the ground and the airplane continued over onto its back. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and tail. Neither the pilot nor the passenger aboard received injuries. The reported weather at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included winds from 290 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.