# NTSB GAA18CA541: Cub Crafters CC18, N413CC, Northway, AK, September 6, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2018, 16:25 local (Sep 6, 2018, 00:25 UTC) - Place: Northway, AK - Coordinates: 62.300277, -142.53334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3003&lon=-142.5333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98269 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA541 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98269/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98269 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA541 ## Probable cause The airplane’s collision with a bird during straight-and-level flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cub Crafters CC18-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2470003), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during straight-and-level flight, a large bird struck the airplane's right wing. The airplane's control became degraded, and the pilot chose an off-airport landing site and landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. 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 reported that, during straight and level flight, a large bird struck the right wing of the airplane. The airplane's control became degraded and the pilot selected an off-airport landing site. The pilot landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N413CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N413CC), registered now, S/N CC18-0065, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CUB CRAFTERS INC 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: CC18-0065 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 740.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: National Park Service - Registered owner: Us Dept Of The Interior - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 2018 - Departed: CZN, Chisana, AK - Destination: GKN, Gulkana, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; 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 April 6, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 20,499 total, 664 in this make and model, 20,174 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: PABN, 14 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 20180905013179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180905013179A), Sep 5, 2018: Cub Crafters Inc CC18-180, Northway, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot reported that, during straight and level flight, a large bird struck the right wing of the Airplane. The airplane's control became degraded and the… ## Other investigations on N413CC (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC22LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA006), Nov 9, 2021: Cub Crafters CC-18-180 (N413CC), Yukon Charlie River, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98269. 799 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 670 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467883&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467884&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.