Nose Over: Taylorcraft BC12-D1, N44249; accident occurred June 02, 2019 at Sedona Airport (KSEZ), Arizona

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N44249

Location: Sedona, AZ 
Accident Number: GAA19CA309
Date & Time: 06/02/2019, 1150 MST
Registration: N44249
Aircraft: Taylorcraft BC12
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Nose over/nose down
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 


Analysis 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a wind gust, and the tail started to rise. The pilot corrected by pulling the yoke "fully back," but subsequently, the airplane nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 30 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 160° at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 21. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a nose-over. 

Findings

Aircraft
Pitch control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Gusts - Effect on equipment

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Attempted remediation/recovery
Nose over/nose down (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 64, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/16/2006
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/11/2019
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 690 hours (Total, all aircraft), 73 hours (Total, this make and model), 690 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Taylorcraft
Registration: N44249
Model/Series: BC12 D
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1946
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 10049
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/21/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1619.7 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT:  C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: A65-8
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 65 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSEZ, 4827 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1920 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 72°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 7500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 14 knots / 23 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 160°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 3°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Maricopa, AZ (A39)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Sedona, AZ (SEZ)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0950 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Sedona (SEZ)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 4830 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 21
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5132 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Go Around; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 34.848611, -111.788333 (est)