Taylorcraft BC12-D accident near Southbridge, Massachusetts, April 18, 2009
On April 18, 2009 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, registered N96552, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Southbridge, Massachusetts (Southbridge Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 2009 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Southbridge, Massachusetts · Southbridge Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BC12-D · all BC12-Ds on the register
- Registration
- N96552 · registry record · serial 8852
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the pilot raised the tail of his tailwheel-equipped 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. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 75 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 250 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,618 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor A&C65 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3B0 Southbridge MA at 5:30 pm
- Destination: 3B3 Sterling MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 02, 3,501 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from ORH, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.