# NTSB GAA15CA293: Cubcrafters CC11-160, N319PT, Lake City, CO, September 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 29, 2015, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Lake City, CO - Coordinates: 37.908054, -107.352218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9081&lon=-107.3522&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92099 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92099/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92099 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA293 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a parked airplane and impact with 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: [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: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he planned to depart from a mountain airport situated in a valley. He stated that the wind was calm before he started his takeoff roll, but after he started, a wind gust from the left pushed the airplane to the right into trees along the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. An FAA inspector who went to the accident site reported that an airplane was parked on the right side of the runway about 218 feet from where the accident airplane began the takeoff. The parked airplane's owner, was standing near his airplane at the time of the takeoff, and witnessed the event. The witness reported that the pilot of the accident airplane lost directional control immediately after applying takeoff power and did not correct the airplane's course as it veered to the right. The witness reported that the accident airplane was tracking off the center of the runway from the start, and was aimed directly at him and his parked airplane. He stated that he dove into a ditch to avoid being hit, and that the accident airplane never got more than 10 feet in the air. The FAA inspector reported that he believed the accident airplane was forced into the air, and was not ready to fly. The wheels of the accident airplane rolled across the top of the right wing of the parked airplane, leaving tire tracks on the wing. The accident airplane then collided with a utility pole guy wire and impacted terrain. 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 reported that he planned to depart from a mountain airport situated in a valley. He stated that the wind was calm before he started his takeoff roll, but after he started, a wind gust from the left pushed the airplane to the right into trees along the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. An FAA inspector who went to the accident site reported that an airplane was parked on the right side of the runway about 218 feet from where the accident airplane began the takeoff. The parked airplane's owner, was standing near his airplane at the time of the takeoff, and witnessed the event. The witness reported that the pilot of the accident airplane lost directional control immediately after applying takeoff power and did not correct the airplane's course as it veered to the right. The witness reported that the accident airplane was tracking off the center of the runway from the start, and was aimed directly at him and his parked airplane. He stated that he dove into a ditch to avoid being hit, and that the accident airplane never got more than 10 feet in the air. The FAA inspector reported that he believed the accident airplane was forced into the air, and was not ready to fly. The wheels of the accident airplane rolled across the top of the right wing of the parked airplane, leaving tire tracks on the wing. The accident airplane then collided with a utility pole guy wire and impacted terrain. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N319PT (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CUBCRAFTERS CC11-160 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CC11-00359 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 105 - Engines: ECI OX340CCB3J3N4 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: February 28, 2015 - Departed: CD32, Lake City, CO - Destination: 5CO6, LA GARITA, CO - Airport: CD32, Castle Lakes, runway 04, 3,200 × 50 ft, gravel - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 25, 2015; seat: front; flight hours: 2,175 total, 96 in this make and model, 48 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °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 20150929016929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150929016929A), Sep 29, 2015: Cub Crafters CC11-160, Lake City, CO, Destroyed. Pilot part of a 10 aircraft Cub Crafters high mountain exploration tour. All pilots paid outfitter to provide airport information, weather briefing, lodging,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92099. 4.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433322&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=40433323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 5 photos, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433324&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.