# NTSB GAA16CA061: Melvin K Callen Backcountry Supercub, N842MC, Fort Morgan, CO, November 24, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 24, 2015, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Morgan, CO - Coordinates: 40.248054, -103.918334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2481&lon=-103.9183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Denver FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92371 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92371/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92371 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA061 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive braking during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Melvin K Callen BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=05633OC), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Melvin K Callen BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633OC), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Melvin K Callen BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05633OC), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Melvin K Callen BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05633OC), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Melvin K Callen BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05633OC), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Melvin K Callen BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05633OC), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during final approach he observed "prairie dog holes" on the private grass runway. The touchdown was "normal," but during the rollout the pilot observed additional prairie dog holes ahead and applied the brakes. Subsequently, the airplane skidded for about 50 feet on the "soft and sandy" area of the runway and nosed over. The vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damaged. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during final approach he observed "prairie dog holes" on the private grass runway. The touchdown was "normal," but during the rollout the pilot observed additional prairie dog holes ahead and applied the brakes. Subsequently, the airplane skidded for about 50 feet on the "soft and sandy" area of the runway and nosed over. The vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damaged. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N842MC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N842MC), registered now, S/N TCQ1207085, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MELVIN K CALLEN BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB - Registry model: [Melvin K Callen BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB](https://openairdocs.org/model/melvin-k-callen-backcountry-supercub) (registry code 05633OC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TCQ1207085 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 69.8 - Engines: Aero Sport Power O-375-C4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 27, 2015 - Departed: 2CO3, Milliken, CO - Destination: None, Fort Morgan, CO - Airport: runway 09, 1,000 × 50 ft, dirt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Data recorder, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2014; seat: center; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 2,109 total, 42 in this make and model, 2,078 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KGXY, 20 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 20151124018749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151124018749A), Nov 24, 2015: Melvin K Callen BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, Wiggins, CO, Substantial damage. Private pilot 3271240, [privacy data omitted] was landing N842MC, backcounrty super cub , serial number TCQ1207085 on a private dirt strip near empire… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 3, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92371. 2.2 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=40437262&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437263&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Docket Photo - Courtesy of FAA (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 250 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437264&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Docket%20Photo%20-%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.