Pilatus PC12 accident near Belgrade, Montana, July 8, 2015
On July 8, 2015 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 2001 Pilatus PC12, registered N220CL, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Belgrade, Montana (Bozeman Yellowstone Intl 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 improper use of pitch control during an instructional maneuver, which resulted in a tail strike during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2015 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Belgrade, Montana · Bozeman Yellowstone Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Pilatus PC12 45, built 2001 · all PC12s on the register
- Registration
- N220CL · no longer on the register · serial 364
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a pilot competency checkride, while on downwind in the traffic pattern, the pilot reported that the examiner requested a zero flap, power off, 180 degree approach and landing. As the airplane arrived at the threshold, the pilot noted higher than normal airspeed and a greater than normal approach angle of attack. The pilot increased the angle of attack until the stick shaker activated and then performed a go around maneuver. During the go around, the tail struck the runway, but the pilot reported that he did not remember feeling the tail touch the runway. After the go around, the pilot completed the maneuver without incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder during the tailstrike. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Simulated/training event during approach (VFR pattern downwind)
- Stall warn/stick-shaker/pusher during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Tailstrike during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,670 hours in all; 130 in this make and model; 68 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 1,842 as pilot in command; 1,086 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 28, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot (unmanned)
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 15,000 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 14,800 as pilot in command; 8,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 29, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,761 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 10, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 9,956 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W Canada PT6A-67B (turboprop); 3,894 hours total
- Operator: Montana Aircraft INC
The flight
- Departed from: BZN Belgrade MT at 10:06 pm
- Destination: BZN Belgrade MT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 8,994 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 10:56 pm from KBZN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on September 8, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot’s Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 1 – Right Side View of Rudder (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo 2 – Left Side View of Rudder (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.