Pilatus PC12 N220CL

Summary

On 8 July 2015 at about 23:30 local time, a Pilatus PC12 registered N220CL, operated by Montana Aircraft Inc, was involved in an accident near Belgrade, Montana, 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

8 July 2015 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Belgrade, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Bozeman Yellowstone Intl (BZN)

Coordinates

45.7858, -111.1636

Aircraft

Pilatus PC12

Registration

N220CL

Category

Airplane

Year built

2001

Engines

1

Operator

Montana Aircraft Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Belgrade → Belgrade

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

GAA15CA174

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper use of pitch control during an instructional maneuver, which resulted in a tail strike during landing.

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

Read the full NTSB 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.