# NTSB GAA16CA355: Rainbow Sky Reach Bushcat, N321WL, Cairo, NE, July 4, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2016, 19:00 local (Jul 4, 2016, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Cairo, NE - Coordinates: 41.000831, -98.615554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0008&lon=-98.6156&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93529 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA355 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93529/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93529 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA355 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to fly into deteriorating weather conditions, leading to a precautionary off airport soft field landing which resulted in a nose gear collapse and the airplane to 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: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035000/cases.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Personality/attitude: motivation/respond to pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025/cases.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he took off in meteorological conditions after being weathered in for two days. He further reported that while en route to the destination he encountered deteriorating weather conditions and opted to land at a nearby field to allow the weather to pass. The pilot reported that the terrain looked "manageable and smooth enough to land on", he landed using a soft field landing technique, but during the landing roll the nose wheel dug into the grassy terrain which resulted in a nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 14 miles south east of the accident, revealed that, within about 10 minutes of the crash, the wind was 080 degrees true at 5 knots, visibility 5 statute miles, and overcast at 800 feet. The pilot reported that the lowest ceiling he encountered was 300 feet AGL. As a safety recommendation the pilot reported that he should not have let peer pressure allow him to change his own personal weather minimums. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he took off in meteorological conditions after being weathered in for two days. He further reported that while en route to the destination he encountered deteriorating weather conditions and opted to land at a nearby field to allow the weather to pass. The pilot reported that the terrain looked "manageable and smooth enough to land on", he landed using a soft field landing technique, but during the landing roll the nose wheel dug into the grassy terrain which resulted in a nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 14 miles south east of the accident, revealed that, within about 10 minutes of the crash, the wind was 080 degrees true at 5 knots, visibility 5 statute miles, and overcast at 800 feet. The pilot reported that the lowest ceiling he encountered was 300 feet AGL. As a safety recommendation the pilot reported that he should not have let peer pressure allow him to change his own personal weather minimums. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N321WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N321WL-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N CH172B, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rainbow Sky Reach Bushcat - Registry model: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT](https://openairdocs.org/model/rainbow-sky-reach-bushcat) (registry code 06001AB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CH172B - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 66 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 28, 2016 - Departed: AUH, AURORA, NE - Destination: 0F4, LOUP CITY, NE - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 582 total, 395 in this make and model, 479 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; injuries: none; student, sport pilot; medical: sport pilot, unknown; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 95 total, 21 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KGRI, 14 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 20160703018069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160703018069A), Jul 3, 2016: Rainbow Sky Reach Ltd. BUSHCAT, Cairo, NE, Substantial damage. Pilot had visual of weather deterioration and performed intentional off-airport landing in farmer's field. All was ok on rollout, then gear hit a depression in… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93529. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photograph (item 2, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442758&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph-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.