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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 5, 1998 · Taylorcraft BC12-65 · N34066

Vernillion, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Vernillion, SD
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BC12-65
Tail Number
N34066
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA117

The pilot landed the airplane on runway 12, a gravel airstrip. He reported the winds were out of the south at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. He stated that after landing, the main landing gear contacted sand, while he was making a 180 degree turn to back taxi. The tail of the airplane rose, when the sand was contacted, and the wind caught the tail, resulting in the airplane nosing over.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure (or inability) to properly compensate for wind conditions, while taxiing. Factors associated with the accident were: the sandy terrain, and the gusty tailwind condition.

Full Narrative

On April 5, 1998, at 1200 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-65, N34066, operated by a commercial pilot nosed over while taxing at the Davidson Airport, Vermillion, South Dakota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Vermillion Airport shortly before the accident. The pilot reported that after a 1.5 hour local flight he entered the traffic pattern for runway 12 at the Davidson Airport to assess the wind conditions. He reported the winds were from the south so he elected to land on gravel runway 21. He reported that after landing the main landing gear contacted sand as he was turning around to back taxi on the runway. The pilot reported, "The tail rose and the wind picked it up and turned the aircraft over." The airplane came to rest inverted damaging the propeller, rudder, and one wing strut.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CDT
Nearest AirportHarold Davidson Field (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length1400 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft BC12-65
Tail NumberN34066
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data