# NTSB GAA18CA132: Cubcrafters CC11-160, N88ZQ, Carson City, NV, February 10, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 10, 2018, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Carson City, NV
- Coordinates: 39.191112, -119.72583 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1911&lon=-119.7258&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96749/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96749
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA132

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=060006N), [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, when returning to the airport after a local flight, the reported wind was from 330 at 18 knots, gusting to 30 knots. He added that, during landing, the right wheel touched down first then the left wheel. As the airplane decelerated, a wind gust from the right side caused the airplane to "weathervane into the wind to the right." The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 350° at 4 knots. The same automated weather observation station reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 330° at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The airplane landed on runway 27. The airplane's operating handbook stated that the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 13 mph/11 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, when returning to the airport after a local flight, the reported wind was from 330 at 18 knots, gusting 30 knots. He added that, during landing, the right wheel touched down first then the left wheel. As the airplane decelerated, a wind gust from the right-hand side caused the airplane to "weathervane into the wind to the right". The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 350° at 4 knots. The same automated weather observation station reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 330° at 12 knots, gusting 16 knots. The airplane landed on runway 27. The airplane's operating handbook stated that the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 13 mph/11 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88ZQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88ZQ), registered now, S/N CC11-00260, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CUBCRAFTERS INC CC11-160 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Cubcrafters CC11-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/cubcrafters-cc11-160) (registry code 060006N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Cubcrafter CC340](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cubcrafter-cc340) (registry code 18050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CC11-00260
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 280
- Engines: Cubcrafters CC340 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 3, 2017
- Departed: CXP, Carson City, NV
- Destination: CXP, Carson City, NV
- Airport: CXP, Carson, runway 27, 6,101 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,733 total, 238 in this make and model, 1,682.8 as pilot in command, 54.5 in the last 90 days, 22.7 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: KCXP, 1 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 20180210002229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180210002229A), Feb 10, 2018: Cubcrafters Inc CC11-160, Carson City, NV, Substantial damage. The pilot reported that after departing the airport with winds out of 240 and using runway 27 for a 20-minute intro flight, a wind shift occurred and on…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 11, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96749. 5.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461852&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461853&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Cub Crafters Pilot's Operating Handbook Excerpt (item 3, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461854&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cub%20Crafters%20Pilot%27s%20Operating%20Handbook%20Excerpt-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.

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