NTSB Factual Report

On June 15, 2001, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Taylorcraft BC12D airplane, N95274, sustained substantial damage during landing at Seward, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Kasilof airport, Kasilof, Alaska, about 1100.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) was notified on June 15th, at 1353, that the accident airplane received damage upon landing at Seward. The Fire Chief of the City of Seward Fire Department reported that department personnel responded to the airport and discovered that the accident airplane had departed the east side of runway 30. The pilot of the airplane was not at the airplane. The Fire Chief said the airplane received damage to the right main landing gear, the right wing, and the fuselage area aft of the cockpit.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB IIC on June 18, 2001, at 1220, the pilot reported he landed on runway 30 at Seward, and was taxiing from landing. He said a quartering tailwind caused the airplane to ground loop off the east side of the runway, and the right main landing gear struck a tree stump. After the accident, the pilot examined the airplane and found two broken lower fuselage longerons, located between the tailwheel and the trailing edges of the wings.

At 1153, an automated weather observation system (AWOS) at Seward was reporting, in part: Wind, 320 degrees (true) at 14 knots, gusts to 19 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 68 degrees F; dew point, 40 degrees F; altimeter, 30.17 inHg.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions during taxi from landing. A factor in the accident was a crosswind.