# NTSB GAA18CA521: Cub Crafters CC18, N437CC, Fairbanks, AK, August 1, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 1, 2018, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 65.607223, -146.778884 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.6072&lon=-146.7789&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Department of Interior, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98203 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA521 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98203/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98203 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA521 ## Probable cause The pilot’s premature liftoff and subsequent settling of the airplane to the gravel airstrip. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 1,397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 1,557 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was conducting a public aerial observation flight. During takeoff from an off-airport gravel airstrip, the airplane became airborne quickly. He added that the airplane settled back on the airstrip in a tail-low attitude, but he continued the takeoff. He "did not feel or hear any objects strike or damage the aircraft," and due to adverse weather conditions, he continued the flight to an alternate airport without further incident instead of continuing the observation flight. Postaccident examination revealed leading edge damage and a hole in the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was conducting a public aerial observation flight, during takeoff from an off-airport gravel airstrip, the airplane became airborne quickly. He added that, the airplane settled back on the airstrip in a tail low attitude, but he continued the takeoff. He "did not feel or hear any objects strike or damage the aircraft", and, due to adverse weather conditions, the flight continued to the alternate airport without further incident. Postflight examination revealed leading edge damage and a hole in the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N437CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N437CC), registered now, S/N CC18-0059, built 2012 (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 2470003) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C4P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c4p) (registry code 42289, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CC18-0059 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 838.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft - federal, Public use - Operator: Bureau of Land Management - Registered owner: U S Department Of The Interior - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 2018 - Departed: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 27, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,130 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,080 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: PACE, 50 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 20180801008599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180801008599A), Aug 1, 2018: Cub Crafters Inc CC18-180, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. On August 1 2018, the pilot landed 55 miles northeast of Fairbanks at a remote gravel and dirt air strip on lime peak. The pilot and his passenger were… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98203. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468507&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Party Representative (item 3, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468509&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Party%20Representative-Master.PDF - Party Narrative Comments (item 4, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468510&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Party%20Narrative%20Comments-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.