# NTSB GAA17CA010: Joe Salomone Super CUB SQ2, N786AB, Boca Reservoir, CA, October 6, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 6, 2016, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Boca Reservoir, CA - Coordinates: 39.389999, -120.095001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3900&lon=-120.0950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94164 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94164/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94164 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA010 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue the taxi on unsuitable muddy terrain, which resulted in a 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: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05633JX), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [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) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05633JX), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=05633JX), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05633JX), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane with tundra tires, reported that after landing off airport next to a reservoir, the tires became stuck in muddy terrain. He further reported that he decided to "use power and elevator to unstick the tires". The tires loosened from the mud, however, when he applied additional power the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane with tundra tires, reported that after landing off airport next to a reservoir, the tires became stuck in muddy terrain. He further reported that he decided to "use power and elevator to unstick the tires". The tires loosened from the mud, however, when he applied additional power the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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: 380 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 2016 - Departed: TRK, TRUCKEE, CA - Destination: TRK, TRUCKEE, CA - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 16, 2015; seat: front; flight hours: 7,800 total, 460 in this make and model, 6,833 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KTRK, 5 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 20161006017949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161006017949A), Oct 6, 2016: Joe Salomone SUPER CUB SQ2, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. When operating with the main tires in contact with the surface water, the pilot lost control of the aircraft and nosed over in a reservoir. ## 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 GAA15CA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA244), Sep 1, 2015: Joe Salomone Super CUB SQ2 (N786AB), Truckee, CA, substantial damage. 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… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94164. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 518 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.