# NTSB CEN23LA123: Cub Crafters CCX-2000, N840T, Erie, CO, February 26, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 26, 2023, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO · runway
- Coordinates: 40.0078, -105.05
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0078&lon=-105.0500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- 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 Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106799/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106799
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA123

## Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing.

## 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: [Mesa CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05641A1), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mesa CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05641A1), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mesa CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05641A1), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported executing a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. A “small bounce” after touch down caused the airplane to veer “slightly to the right.” The pilot subsequently over corrected and lost directional control resulting in a ground loop. The right wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He noted being ready with “slight and occasional” rudder inputs would likely have been more effective than the “strong and consistent” rudder pressure applied.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N840T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N840T), registered now, S/N CCX-2000-0150, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CUB CRAFTERS CCX-2000
- Registry model: [Mesa CCX-2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/mesa-ccx-2000) (registry code 05641A1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming CC363I](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-cc363i) (registry code 41465, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CCX-2000-0150
- Year built: 2022
- Airframe hours: 55.4
- Engines: Lycoming CC363i-2201 186 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, September 23, 2022, 55.4 hours before
- Departed: FNL, Loveland, CO
- Destination: EIK, Erie, CO
- Airport: EIK, Eire Municipal, runway 34, 4,700 × 60 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 19, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 824 total, 19 in this make and model, 732 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2.7 in the last 30 days, 0.7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.61 inHg
- Observed at: KEIK
- METAR: METAR KEIK 261615Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 04/M02 A2961

## 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 20230226001599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230226001599A), Feb 26, 2023: Mesa Aviation LLC CCX-2000, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. On February 26, 2023 at approximately 0915 local time, the pilot of a cub crafters carbon cub experienced a ground loop while landing at Erie, CO. The pilot…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106799. 6.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15191297&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Report%20--%20CEN23LA123_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 965 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15223317&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN23LA123-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15221976&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20FAA_Skultin_09Mar2023-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.

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