Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
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.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI98LA117