- Date
- November 2, 2019, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place
- Palmyra, PA
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N718CCCub Crafters CC11
- Defining event
- Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 16, 2020
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- General Aviation Accidents
- Parties
- FAA
- FAA report
- 20191102018829A
- Case key
- 100532
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain lateral control during a go-around, which resulted in impact with a tree.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that, while on final approach, the airplane was a little high, so he extended a notch of flaps. The airplane touched down slightly faster than normal and then bounced. The pilot added power to maintain level flight, but a "strong and unexpected crosswind gust" pushed the airplane right of the runway. The pilot immediately initiated a go-around, but the airplane was headed toward a row of trees at the end of the runway. The pilot banked slightly to try and avoid the trees, but the right wing struck a tree, and the airplane descended and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. 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, while on final approach, the airplane was a little high, so he extended a notch of flaps. The airplane touched down slightly faster than normal and the airplane bounced. The pilot added power to maintain level flight, but a "strong and unexpected crosswind gust" pushed the airplane to the right. He initiated a go-around, but the airplane drifted to the right towards a row of trees at the end of the runway. The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane around these obstacles, but the right wing struck a tree, the airplane descended and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N718CC
- Reported as
- Cub Crafters CC11 (100)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- CC11-00058
- Built
- 2007
- Engine
- Continental O-200A, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Hilltop Aviation LLC
- Registered owner
- Hilltop Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed
- 58N · Palmyra, PA
- Destination
- 58N · Palmyra, PA
- Airport
- 58N · Reigle Field, runway 31, 1,955 × 40 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 54
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Seat
- Left
- Restraint
- 4-point
- Flight hours
- 473 total · 158 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Observed at
- KMDT, 10 nm away
Docket · 3
The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2020, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.2 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.