# NTSB GAA17CA269: Johnson Kenneth Super CUB Sport, N47KJ, Spanish Fork, UT, May 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 6, 2017, 20:45 local (May 7, 2017, 02:45 UTC) - Place: Spanish Fork, UT - Coordinates: 40.145, -111.667778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1450&lon=-111.6678&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95135/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95135 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA269 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land with a gusting tailwind and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. ## 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: [Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633OF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05633OF), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: [Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05633OF), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=05633OF), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05633OF), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05633OF), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05633OF), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05633OF), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05633OF), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, "about half way through the [landing] rollout I lost control of the aircraft and ground looped to the right." During the ground loop, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the runway. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report after multiple requests. An automated weather observation station, 5 nautical miles from the accident airport, recorded that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 120° at 20 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The pilot reported that the landing was on runway 30. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported in a written statement that, "about half way through the [landing] roll out I lost control of the aircraft and ground looped to the right." During the ground loop, the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the runway. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report after multiple requests. An automated weather observation station, 5 nautical miles from the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind 120° at 20 knots, gusting 28 knots. The pilot reported that the landing was on runway 30. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47KJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47KJ-2019-01-18), registration cancelled 2019-01-18, S/N 471D, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHNSON KENNETH SUPER CUB SPORT (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-kenneth-super-cub-sport) (registry code 05633OF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2d) (registry code 42123, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 471D - Year built: 2014 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-E2D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Destination: U77, Spanish Fork, UT - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: U77, Spanish Fork-Springville-Woodh, runway 30, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 20 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.64 inHg - Observed at: KPVU, 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 20170506006719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170506006719A), May 6, 2017: Johnson Kenneth SUPER CUB SPORT, Spanish Fork, UT, Substantial damage. Following touchdown and deceleration during rollout, pilot stated possible asymetrical application of the brakes. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 6, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95135. 298 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 173 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454023&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454024&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.