# NTSB GAA15CA292: Cubcrafters CC11-160, N4HW, Lake City, CO, September 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 29, 2015, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Lake City, CO - Coordinates: 37.908332, -107.351669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9083&lon=-107.3517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Admnistration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92098 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92098/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92098 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA292 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure during takeoff to attain sufficient airspeed for conditions, and to maintain yaw control and a positive rate of climb, resulting in a loss of directional control, an uncontrolled descent, and collision with trees and terrain. ## 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: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was departing from a mountain airport situated in a valley. The pilot reported that during takeoff, he rotated about 52-54 miles per hour, and about 20 feet above the ground, a strong crosswind from the left pushed the airplane to right of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to overcome the effect of the wind with control inputs, but the airplane collided with trees on the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. An FAA inspector who went to the accident site reported that the pilot rotated approximately 400 feet and impacted trees about 621 feet from where the takeoff roll was initiated. The FAA inspector estimated there was at least an additional 2,000 feet of useable runway remaining. The field elevation was 9,300 feet MSL and density altitude was calculated as 12,600 feet. The performance charts for this airplane stop at 8000 feet and required extrapolation for the airport elevation and weather conditions. Calculations by the FAA inspector estimated a minimum takeoff roll of 425 feet before rotation under ideal conditions for weather and mixture setting. A witness reported the pilot was "hot dogging" and was trying to show off when the pilot took off in a very short distance and climbed at a steep angle. The witness reported that the airplane aerodynamically stalled, collided with trees and came to rest in a ditch. The witness also reported that the wind was calm at the time of the takeoff and accident. The airplane came to rest on private property that abutted the airport, and the witness reported that the landowner dragged the airplane onto airport property with a tractor. The airplane wreckage was not photographed by the FAA inspector before it was moved. Eight other airplanes of similar make and model departed the field about the time of the accident without incident. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was departing from a mountain airport situated in a valley. The pilot reported that during takeoff, he rotated about 52-54 miles per hour, and about 20 feet above the ground, a strong crosswind from the left pushed the airplane to right of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to overcome the effect of the wind with control inputs, but the airplane collided with trees on the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. An FAA inspector who went to the accident site reported that the pilot rotated approximately 400 feet and impacted trees about 621feet from where the takeoff roll was initiated. The FAA inspector estimated there was at least an additional 2,000 feet of useable runway remaining. The field elevation was 9,300 feet MSL and density altitude was calculated as 12,600 feet. The performance charts for this airplane stop at 8000 feet and required extrapolation for the airport elevation and weather conditions. Calculations by the FAA inspector estimated a minimum takeoff roll of 425 feet before rotation under ideal conditions for weather and mixture setting. A witness reported the pilot was "hot dogging" and was trying to show off when the pilot took off in a very short distance and climbed at a steep angle. The witness reported that the airplane aerodynamically stalled, collided with trees and came to rest in a ditch. The witness also reported that the winds were calm at the time of the takeoff and accident. The airplane came to rest on private property that abutted the airport, and the witness reported that the landowner dragged the airplane onto airport property with a tractor. The airplane wreckage was not photographed by the FAA inspector before it was moved. Eight other airplanes of similar make and model departed the field about the time of the accident without incident. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4HW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4HW-2016-01-06), registration cancelled 2016-01-06, S/N CC11-00353, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CUBCRAFTERS CC11-160 - Registry model: [Cubcrafters CC11-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/cubcrafters-cc11-160) (registry code 060006N) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Titan OX-340CC](https://openairdocs.org/engine/titan-ox-340cc) (registry code 59470, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CC11-00353 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: TITAN OX-340CC-B3J3 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: N4hw, LLC - Registered owner: N4hw, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 21, 2014 - Departed: CD32, Lake City, CO - Destination: TEX, TELLURIDE, CO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: CD32, Castle Lakes, runway 04, 3,200 × 50 ft, gravel - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review August 9, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 321 total, 194 in this make and model, 243 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: KTEX, 26 nm away ## 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 20150929016939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150929016939A), Sep 29, 2015: Cub Crafter CC11-160, Lake City, CO, Destroyed. Pilot was part of a 10 aircraft Cub crafters high mountain exploration tour. All involved paid outfitter to provide details on airports, weather, lodging, and… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92098. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434181&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 4 photos, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434182&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%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.