N96552

On April 18, 2009, a Taylorcraft BC12-D (N96552) was involved in an incident near Southbridge, MA. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind conditions.

As the pilot raised the tail of his tailwheel 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.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA09CA251. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N96552.