# NTSB CEN13CA315: Cub Crafters CCK, N319MA, Cookson, OK, June 3, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2013, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Cookson, OK - Coordinates: 35.702777, -94.934997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7028&lon=-94.9350&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 87090 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA315 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87090/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87090 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA315 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to check the fuel during the preflight, and failure to check the fuel storage tank’s fuel filter/water separator. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Dennis Stephen CUB CRAFTERS INC CCK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05632EP), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not inspected (probable cause); cases with it: [Dennis Stephen CUB CRAFTERS INC CCK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=05632EP), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Dennis Stephen CUB CRAFTERS INC CCK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05632EP), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dennis Stephen CUB CRAFTERS INC CCK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05632EP), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Dennis Stephen CUB CRAFTERS INC CCK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=05632EP), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Dennis Stephen CUB CRAFTERS INC CCK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05632EP), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Dennis Stephen CUB CRAFTERS INC CCK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05632EP), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The engine lost power during the approach for landing and the restart attempt was unsuccessful. The pilot attempted to make a forced landing on a narrow gravel road. The left wing struck the top of a tree; the airplane spun around and impacted the ground. The wings received substantial damage. Post-accident examination revealed water in the fuel, in the carburetor, and in the storage supply tank. The pilot surmised that the water was likely due to recent heavy rain showers. He admitted he failed to check the fuel when he preflighted the airplane, and overlooked checking the fuel storage tank’s fuel filter/water separator. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that as he made a teardrop turn towards the airport, the engine lost power. Shortly thereafter, it resumed developing power. The engine lost power and resumed developing power on two more occasions. The engine lost power a fourth time but did not regain power. The pilot switched the fuel selector from both tanks to one tank, and turned on the backup ignition. The engine would not resume operation. The pilot realized he did not have enough airspeed or altitude to glide to the runway so elected to make a forced landing on a narrow gravel road. As he approached the road, the left wing struck the top of a tree, spinning the airplane around. The pilot said the airplane made a hard impact with the ground. The left wing leading edge sustained compression damage, and the main landing gear was spread apart. Post-accident examination revealed water in the fuel. The carburetor was opened and a “substantial” amount of water was drained. Water was also found in the pilot's fuel storage tank. The pilot surmised that the water was likely due to recent heavy rain showers. The pilot admitted he failed to check the fuel when he preflighted the airplane, and he overlooked checking the fuel storage tank’s fuel filter/water separator. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N319MA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N319MA), registered now, S/N CCK-1865-0019, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cub Crafters CCK - Registry model: [Dennis Stephen CUB CRAFTERS INC CCK](https://openairdocs.org/model/dennis-stephen-cub-crafters-inc-cck) (registry code 05632EP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Cubcrafter CC340](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cubcrafter-cc340) (registry code 18050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CCK-1865-0019 - Airframe hours: 62 - Engines: Cub Crafters CC340 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dennis R. Stephen - Registered owner: Dennis R. Stephen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 22, 2012, 62 hours before - Departed: 44M, Cookson, OK - Destination: 44M, Cookson, OK - Airport: 44M, Tenkiller Lake, runway 05, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2013; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 62 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KTQH, 14 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20130603010489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130603010489A), Jun 3, 2013: Dennis Stephen CUB CRAFTERS INC CCK, Cookson, OK, Substantial damage. Operator was returning to his home airport after 45 minutes of flight. The pilot reported the engine running rough on down wind turning to base. The motor… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87090. 405 KB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394125&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Damage sustained by N319MA (item 2, .PDF, 369 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394122&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Damage%20sustained%20by%20N319MA-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.