Taylorcraft BC12 N95514

Summary

On 5 September 2018 at about 01:20 local time, a Taylorcraft BC12 registered N95514 was involved in an accident near Cut Bank, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 September 2018 at 01:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Cut Bank, Montana, United States

Coordinates

48.6597, -112.4961

Aircraft

Taylorcraft BC12

Registration

N95514

Category

Airplane

Year built

1946

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cut Bank → Cut Bank

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

GAA18CA533

2 people had minor injuries.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB 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 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.