# NTSB WPR11CA249: Rusk Smith Super Cub, N316BR, Heron, MT, June 3, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2011, 14:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Heron, MT - Coordinates: 48.058334, -115.901664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0583&lon=-115.9017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 79298 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79298/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79298 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA249 ## Probable cause The floatplane's collision with a submerged object during a water landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Rusk Billy W SMITH SUPER CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=05629ZR), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Rusk Billy W SMITH SUPER CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=05629ZR), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rusk Billy W SMITH SUPER CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05629ZR), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Rusk Billy W SMITH SUPER CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05629ZR), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that from his airborne perspective, the river looked suitable for landing his float plane. He did not observe any sand bar or obstacles in the water. The pilot stated that his descent into the water was normal, and he landed with the current. Upon touchdown, the airplane which was only equipped with floats, immediately nosed over. It subsequently sank. The pilot said the front of the right float was ripped off in the landing, and the front windscreen broke open from the airframe. He opined that the floatplane impacted a submerged object. The pilot inflated his emergency flotation device and swam to shore. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that from his airborne perspective, the river looked suitable for landing his float plane. He did not observe any sand bar or obstacles in the water. The pilot stated that his descent into the water was normal, and he landed with the current. Upon touchdown the airplane, which was only equipped with floats, immediately nosed over and sank. The pilot said the front of the right float was ripped off in the landing. The pilot inflated his emergency flotation device and swam to shore. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N316BR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N316BR-2012-05-10), registration cancelled 2012-05-10, S/N 001, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rusk Smith Super Cub - Registry model: [Rusk Billy W SMITH SUPER CUB](https://openairdocs.org/model/rusk-billy-w-smith-super-cub) (registry code 05629ZR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a1a) (registry code 42098, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 119 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 31, 2010, 119 hours before - Departed: None, Seeley Lake, MT - Destination: None, Spokane, WA - Airport: None, Cabinet Gorge Reservoir, runway 29, 12,000 × 1,500 ft, water ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 19,364 total, 119 in this make and model, 266 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg ## 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 20110603009799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110603009799A), Jun 3, 2011: Rusk Billy W SMITH SUPER CUB, Noxon, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted touch and go on the clark fork river. During touch down aircraft flipped over immediately causing substantial damage to aircraft. Aircraft… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79298. 567 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 567 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.