| Crash location | 45.101111°N, 72.038889°W
Reported location is a long distance from the NTSB's reported nearest city. This often means that the location has a typo, or is incorrect. |
| Nearest city | Southbridge, MA
42.050096°N, 72.032853°W 210.8 miles away |
| Tail number | N96552 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 18 Apr 2009 |
| Aircraft type | Taylorcraft BC12-D |
| Additional details: | None |
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. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind conditions.