# NTSB CEN24LA116: Cub Crafters CCX-2000, N358AK, Laotto, IN, February 19, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 19, 2024, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Laotto, IN
- Coordinates: 41.174, -85.271086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1740&lon=-85.2711&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- 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 FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193820/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193820
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA116

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper decision to continue an approach with his vision obscured by sun glare, which resulted in a collision with a tree.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Hoffman Farm & Flight CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=05640VL), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hoffman Farm & Flight CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05640VL), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Hoffman Farm & Flight CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05640VL), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was on final approach to a private grass airstrip. He stated that his vision was obscured due to the sun glaring off a nearby pond. The airplane drifted left of the intended touchdown point and struck a small tree. The pilot was unable to see the tree in time to avoid the collision. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he should have not continued the approach with obscured vision.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N358AK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N358AK), registered now, S/N CCX-2000-0137, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CUB CRAFTERS CCX-2000 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Hoffman Farm & Flight CCX-2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/hoffman-farm-flight-ccx-2000) (registry code 05640VL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-390 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-390-series) (registry code 41678, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CCX-2000-0137
- Year built: 2022
- Airframe hours: 152
- Engines: Lycoming CC363i 186 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, September 19, 2023
- Departed: C62, Kendallville, IN
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 203 total, 114 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observed at: KASW, 7 nm away
- METAR: KASW 202215Z AUTO 19004KT 10SM CLR 11/M02 A3016 RMK AO2 T01121025

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 29, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193820. 8.2 MB in all.

- NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN24LA116 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 7.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17018670&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN24LA116_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs CEN24LA116 (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 923 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17020031&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN24LA116-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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