# NTSB CEN20CA213: Piper PA18, N68EE, Cadillac, MI, June 4, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2020, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Cadillac, MI - Coordinates: 44.275276, -85.418891 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2753&lon=-85.4189&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101391 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101391/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101391 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA213 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the float-equipped airplane after the float became caught on the trailer used for takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting to takeoff in the float-equipped airplane from a trailer pulled down the runway by a truck. He reported that there was a direct crosswind from the right at 7 knots. As the truck’s speed increased, the airplane shifted on the trailer and the left float contacted a vertical post that blocked the float from contacting the tire. As the airplane attempted to depart the trailer, the float chine caught on the trailer and turned the airplane toward the ground. The left wing struck the ground first, followed by the floats, propeller, and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68EE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68EE), registered now, S/N 18-7509087, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18 (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7509087 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 3415 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 2019, 1 hours before - Departed: CAD, Cadillac, MI - Destination: PVT, Pierson, MI - Airport: CAD, Wexford County, runway 25, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,050 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: CAD ## 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 20200604007809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200604007809A), Jun 4, 2020: Piper PA-18-150, Cadillac, MI, Substantial damage. On June 04, 2020 at 1920 local time, a float equipped Piper PA-18-150 super cub aircraft, N86EE, registered to and operated by a private pilot, received… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101391. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486067&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 277 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.