# NTSB CEN20CA404: Cubcrafters CC11, N55JV, Larkspur, CO, September 18, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 18, 2020, 10:43 local (16:43 UTC) - Place: Larkspur, CO - Coordinates: 39.2, -104.84 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2000&lon=-104.8400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102004 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA404 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102004/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102004 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA404 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while taking off in gusting quartering tailwind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while taking off from a downhill sloped meadow, the airplane encountered a strong quartering tailwind gust, which stopped the airplane from climbing. The airplane subsequently sank, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane’s left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had selected a better takeoff site with more options in case of unexpected adverse conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55JV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55JV), registered now, S/N CC11-00392 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CUBCRAFTERS INC CC11 (160) - Registry model: [Cubcrafters CC11-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/cubcrafters-cc11-160) (registry code 060006N) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Titan OX-340CC](https://openairdocs.org/engine/titan-ox-340cc) (registry code 59470, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CC11-00392 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 430.7 - Engines: Titan OC-340CC 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Janzen Leasing LLC - Registered owner: Janzen Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 26, 2020 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 6, 2020; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,836 total, 114 in this make and model, 7,806 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KAFF, 11 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 20200918016189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200918016189A), Sep 18, 2020: Cubcrafters Inc CC11-160, Larkspur, CO, Substantial damage. On September 18th, 2020 at 1046 MDT, a Cubcrafters CC11-160 aircraft, N55JV, incurred substantial damage during takeoff from a remote strip on private… ## Other investigations on N55JV (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA22LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA310), Jul 3, 2022: Cubcrafters CC11-160 (N55JV), Findlay, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot/mechanic’s inadequate inspection of the faulty horizontal stabilizer trim switch, which resulted in an uncommanded trim movement during the takeoff roll, which resulted in an aborted… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 2, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102004. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11511748&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20CEN20CA404_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11511444&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20Photo-Array%20CEN20CA404-Rel.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.