# NTSB GAA15CA244: Joe Salomone Super CUB SQ2, N786AB, Truckee, CA, September 1, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2015, 09:53 local (16:53 UTC) - Place: Truckee, CA - Coordinates: 39.316387, -120.134719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3164&lon=-120.1347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91901 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91901/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91901 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA244 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion, ground loop, and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience from the back seat. ## 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: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633JX), [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: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05633JX), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience in position](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031020): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031020/cases.md?model=05633JX), [All aircraft, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05633JX), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05633JX), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05633JX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped, tandem cockpit airplane, who was sitting in the rear seat, reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not have any experience piloting a tailwheel equipped airplane from the rear seat and he could not see the instruments with the passenger seated in the front seat. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped, tandem cockpit airplane, who was sitting in the rear seat, reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not have any experience piloting a tailwheel equipped airplane from the rear seat and he could not see the instruments with the passenger seated in the front seat. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N786AB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N786AB), registered now, S/N TCQ1211086, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOE SALOMONE SUPER CUB SQ2 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2](https://openairdocs.org/model/joe-salomone-super-cub-sq2) (registry code 05633JX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-J2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (registry code 42314, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TCQ1211086 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 147 - Engines: Continental IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 4, 2015 - Departed: TRK, Truckee, CA - Destination: TRK, Truckee, CA - Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe, runway 29, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 19, 2013; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,600 total, 700 in this make and model, 5,400 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 47; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: front; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KTRK ## Other investigations on N786AB (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 GAA17CA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA010), Oct 6, 2016: Joe Salomone Super CUB SQ2 (N786AB), Boca Reservoir, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to continue the taxi on unsuitable muddy terrain, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 24, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91901. 861 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 667 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432133&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Right Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 194 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432134&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.