# NTSB CEN25LA240: Cub Crafters CCK-1865, N952SA, La Garita, CO, July 7, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 7, 2025, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: La Garita, CO - Coordinates: 37.841753, -106.41495 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8418&lon=-106.4150&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200479/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200479 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA240 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and aeronautical decision making. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dan Smith CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=05642QK), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dan Smith CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05642QK), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Dan Smith CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=05642QK), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dan Smith CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=05642QK), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Stall warn/stick-shaker/pusher](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430); cases with it: [Dan Smith CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430/sequence.md?model=05642QK), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Dan Smith CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05642QK), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was overflying a mountain plateau about 100 ft. As he overflew the plateau with 2 or 3 notches of flaps and about 60 kts, he noticed that the terrain was rising on both sides and ahead of the flight path. The pilot increased the throttle to full power and initiated a climb; the angle of attack indicator began to alert the pilot to an impending stall. The pilot estimated that the airplane would not be able to clear trees in front of the flight path and began a slow turn to the right. The airplane then struck a tree, impacted the terrain, and came to rest upright on its nose. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had assessed the density altitude and airplane performance for the flight and flown at a higher airspeed and altitude. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N952SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N952SA), registered now, S/N CCK-1865-1088, built 2024 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CUB CRAFTERS CCK-1865 - Registry model: [Dan Smith CCK-1865](https://openairdocs.org/model/dan-smith-cck-1865) (registry code 05642QK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming CC363I](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-cc363i) (registry code 41465, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CCK-1865-1088 - Year built: 2024 - Airframe hours: 110 - Engines: Lycoming CC363I-FP 186 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 5, 2024 - Departed: RCV, Del Norte, CO - Destination: PNA, Pinedale, WY - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 12, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,218 total, 115 in this make and model, 1,167 as pilot in command, 20.3 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.44 inHg - Observed at: K04V, 19 nm away - METAR: K04V 071507Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/06 A3044 RMK AO2 PWINO ## 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 20250707008729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250707008729A), Jul 7, 2025: Dan Smith CCK-1865, Del Norte, CO, Substantial damage. Maneuvering flight between 10000 and 10500 feet. Aircraft performance negatively affected by near max gross weight and high density altitude and was not… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200479. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19350621&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20FORM%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 550 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19366523&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19365524&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20prevention%20-Rel.pdf - Pilot's narrative (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19366134&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Narrative-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.