DEN03LA066

Factual narrative

On April 16, 2003, approximately 1605 mountain daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43591, registered to and operated by the flight instructor, was substantially damaged when it collided with an airport taxiway light and sign and terrain during takeoff at Salt Lake City Municipal 2 Airport, West Jordan, Utah. The commercial certificated flight instructor and the private pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at West Jordan approximately 1530. The following is based on the accident report submitted by the flight instructor. His student, a private pilot, was practicing touch-and-go landings. After making a three-point landing, he added power and raised the tail off the ground to the takeoff attitude. At 60 mph, he eased back and the airplane lifted off. After climbing about 10 feet, a gust of wind lifted the left wing. The instructor took control and applied full left rudder and aileron. The airplane encountered another wind gust and struck a runway light and sign, breaking the wing spar and damaging the right main landing gear. The private pilot receiving instruction was practicing touch-and-go landings. After making a three-point landing, he added power and raised the tail off the ground to takeoff attitude. At 60 mph, he eased back and the airplane lifted off. After climbing about 10 feet, a gust of wind lifted the left wing. The instructor took control and applied full left rudder and aileron. The airplane encountered another wind gust and struck a runway light and sign. The wing spar was broken and the main landing gear was damaged. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12