# NTSB CEN26LA195: Cub Crafters CC18-180, N472AK, Littlefield, TX, May 22, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 22, 2026, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Littlefield, TX - Coordinates: 33.928494, -102.38488 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9285&lon=-102.3849&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Lubbock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 203046 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203046/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203046 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA195 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive approach speed, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2470003), [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. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had been conducting glider tow operations and the gliders were landing back to the same airport that he had departed from. After releasing a glider, he flew west of the airport to survey the landing area due to the high volume of activity on the ground at the airport. He determined that he would land to a grassy area adjacent to the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a short base-to-final approach and noted that his approach speed was approximately 5 to 10 mph faster than normal with full flaps extended. He touched down “fairly firm” in a tail-low wheel landing attitude. After the tailwheel contacted the ground, he applied full aft elevator and braking. The landing area was rougher than anticipated, which caused the airplane to bounce and become airborne. When the main landing gear settled back onto the ground, the tail rose rapidly. The pilot released the brakes and applied full aft elevator; however, the airplane continued to pitch forward and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The fuselage, left wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further reported that he should have remained clear of the traffic pattern until the distractions in the landing area were clear, and he also felt he rushed the approach while conducting his traffic pattern maneuvers. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N472AK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N472AK), registered now, S/N CC18-0091, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CUB CRAFTERS INC CC18-180 - Registry model: [Cub Crafters CC18-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cub-crafters-cc18-180) (registry code 2470003) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C1G](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c1g) (registry code 42284, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CC18-0091 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 4324.1 - Engines: Lycoming Avco Corporation O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Glider tow, Part 91 - Operator: Akima Logistics Services LLC - Registered owner: Akima Logistics Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 22, 2026, 36 hours before - Departed: LIU, Littlefield, TX - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: LIU, Littlefield Taylor Brown Muni, runway 01/19, 4,021 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 8, 2026; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12,966 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 126 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KLBB, 32 nm away - METAR: KLBB 221553Z 22009KT 10SM FEW160 22/13 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP080 T02170133 ## 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 20260522004489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260522004489A), May 22, 2026: Cub Crafters Inc CC18-180, Littlefield, TX, Substantial damage. On may 22, 2026, at 1246 CDT, a Cub crafter aircraft, registered with a private company. Nose overed on landing roll out at Littlefield Taylor Brown municipal… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203046. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20621132&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA195%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 376 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20635910&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA195%20photo%20array-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.