# NTSB LAX08CA171: Piper Cub Crafters PA-18-150, N273CC, Fall RiverMills, CA, June 9, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 9, 2008, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Fall RiverMills, CA
- Coordinates: 41.009746, -121.470321 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0097&lon=-121.4703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA171

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff/landing area.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he intentionally landed in a pasture. The grassy field looked adequate for takeoff. The pilot stated that he did not see a fence located at the distant end of the pasture. The airplane became airborne, and when it was about 6 feet in the air, the tail snagged a wire fence. Thereafter, the airplane descended into the ground. As the airplane decelerated it nosed over and came to rest partially submerged in water. The pilot reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with his airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the business flight he landed in a pasture. The grassy field looked adequate for takeoff. The pilot stated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he did not observe a fence located at the distant end of the pasture. The airplane became airborne, and when it was about 6 feet in the air, the tail snagged a wire fence. Thereafter, the airplane descended into the ground. As the airplane decelerated it nosed over and came to rest partially submerged in water. The pilot reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with his airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N273CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N273CC), registered now, S/N 9920CC, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper Cub Crafters PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-cub-crafters-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101843) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9920CC
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Herbert R. Holzapfel
- Registered owner: Cedar Springs Ranch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, Fall RiverMills, CA
- Destination: WLW, Willows, CA
- Airport: NONE, No Name

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 989 total, 369 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 20080609838029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080609838029A), Jun 9, 2008: Pipcc PA18150, Fall River Mil, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 9, 2008, pilot [privacy data omitted], made an intentional landing in a grass pasture. This landing accomplished at 13:30 PDT without incident.…

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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