# NTSB GAA18CA169: Cubcrafters CC11-160, N473CC, Mammoth Lakes, CA, March 16, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 16, 2018, 01:10 local (08:10 UTC) - Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA - Coordinates: 37.622501, -118.833053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6225&lon=-118.8331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96893 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96893/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96893 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA169 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in a gusting crosswind conditions, which exceeded the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind and resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear. ## 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: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; 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) - [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) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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-aborted after touchdown: 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-aborted after touchdown: 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 tundra-tire- and tailwheel-equipped airplane was making a night landing at a high-altitude airport. He reported that, to mitigate the crosswind component, he decided to land from right to left on the 100-ft-wide runway. He added that the wheel landing was normal, but the airplane would not return to centerline from the left side of the runway. He added power to go around, but the left main wheel sheared off, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 19 knots, gusting 31 knots. The airplane landed on runway 27. The airplane's operating handbook stated that the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 13 mph/11 knots. The calculated crosswind component using steady winds was 15 knots, using gusting winds, it was 24 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tundra tire and tailwheel-equipped airplane was making a night landing at a high-altitude airport. He reported that, to mitigate the crosswind component, he decided to land from right to left on the 100-foot-wide runway. He added that the wheel landing was normal, but the airplane would not return to centerline from the left side of the runway. He added power to go around, but the left main wheel sheared off, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 19 knots, gusting 31 knots. The airplane landed on runway 27. The airplane's operating handbook stated that the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 13 mph/11 knots. The calculated crosswind component using steady winds is 15 knots, using gust winds is 24 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N473CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N473CC), registered now, S/N CC11-00254, 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: CC11-00254 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 310.8 - Engines: TITAN CC340 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 2017 - Departed: BIH, BISHOP, CA - Destination: MMH, Mammoth Lakes, CA - Airport: MMH, Mammoth Yosemite, runway 27, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,480.3 total, 300.7 in this make and model, 1,137.9 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 220° at 19 knots, gusting 31 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KMMH, 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 20180316002829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180316002829A), Mar 16, 2018: Cubcrafters Inc CC11-160, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of aircraft during landing in high crosswind conditions and ground looped aircraft at 0150. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96893. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462904&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462905&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Pilot's Accident Drawing (item 3, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Accident%20Drawing-Master.PDF - Pilot's Operating Handbook Excerpt (item 4, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Operating%20Handbook%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 272 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.