# NTSB GAA18CA192: Cub Crafters CC18-180, N540DM, Prescott, AZ, March 31, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 31, 2018, 11:27 local (18:27 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.650001, -112.427497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6500&lon=-112.4275&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 5, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96964/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96964
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA192

## Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing after touching down with the left brake engaged. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

## 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: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2470003), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that, during a training flight, upon landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced slightly. Subsequently, when the airplane touched back down, it veered to the left. He added that the student did not react immediately, so he added power and right rudder to correct. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, the instructor added full right brake to avoid a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) light, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The flight instructor added that the student had apparently touched down after the first bounce with the left brake engaged. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during a training flight, upon landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced slightly. Subsequently, when the airplane touched back down it veered to the left. He added that, the student did not react immediately, so he added power and right rudder to correct. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, he added full right brake to avoid a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) light, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The flight instructor added that the student had apparently touched down after the first bounce with the left brake engaged. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N540DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N540DM), registered now, S/N CC18-0027, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CUB CRAFTERS CC18-180
- Registry model: [Cub Crafters CC18-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cub-crafters-cc18-180) (registry code 2470001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C1G](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c1g) (registry code 42284, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CC18-0027
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 328
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2008
- Departed: PRC, Prescott, AZ
- Destination: PRC, Prescott, AZ
- Airport: PRC, Ernest A Love Field, runway 21R, 4,846 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 67; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 3, 2016; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 23,870 total, 55 in this make and model, 18,906 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 66.4 total, 31.6 in this make and model, 31.6 in the last 90 days, 18.1 in the last 30 days, 1.1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: KPRC

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96964. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 833 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Picture (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, CFI (item 3, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20CFI-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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