Taylorcraft crashes into snowbank

The pilot reported that he was departing to the north from a snow-covered grass runway in Hartford, Wis., in a ski-equipped tailwheel Taylorcraft BC12-D.

A plowed asphalt runway intersected the snow-covered runway, and snowbanks were located on the north and south side of the plowed runway.

During takeoff, the plane hit the snowbank on the south side of the asphalt runway and nosed over. It sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage.

The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and failure to inspect the runway before departure.

NTSB Identification: CEN14CA132

This February 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.