Taylorcraft BC12-D accident near Sun Valley, Idaho, July 5, 1996
On July 5, 1996 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, registered N95658, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sun Valley, Idaho (Twin Bridges airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed for the go-around. The crosswind, downdraft, and high density altitude were related factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 1996 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sun Valley, Idaho · Twin Bridges · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BC12-D · all BC12-Ds on the register
- Registration
- N95658 · registry record · serial 7958
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that while on approach to runway 21, he encountered crosswind conditions and added power to extend the landing; just before touchdown, an extremely strong gust blew the aircraft to the right of the runway. The pilot said he added full power to initiate a go-around. The aircraft started to climb, then just started descending to the right. Subsequently, it went into the terrain 'sideways,' but upright. The pilot noted that an individual in the area had observed strong wind gusts with changing directions on the morning of the accident. The airport had high timbered ridges to the east of the runway. Density altitude was approximately 9,400 feet.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,255 hours in all; 135 in this make and model; 51 in the last 90 days; 27 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,900 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 14, 1996; 55 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: U87 Stanley ID at 5:00 pm
- Destination: U61
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 4,450 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number SEA96LA143.