# NTSB WPR18LA107: Cubcrafters CC11-160, N1951B, Browns Valley, CA, March 18, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 18, 2018, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Browns Valley, CA - Coordinates: 39.219722, -121.411392 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2197&lon=-121.4114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 29, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96886 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR18LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96886/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96886 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA107 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain a sufficient altitude to avoid power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that he was maneuvering at an altitude of about 500 ft over an unpopulated area and studying the river when the airplane must have gone below 500 ft and hit something. A fire started, and the airplane subsequently crashed in the river and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that he was later told that he hit a power line. The river runs generally east to west. The power lines were about 200 ft tall, ran across the river generally north and south, and extended about 1 mile. The wreckage was located about 2,000 ft east of the power lines in about 3 ft of water. Power line company personnel reported that six power lines were found separated. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot likely was not vigilant in monitoring the environment for obstructions and did not maintain a sufficient altitude to avoid the power lines. ## Factual narrative On March 18, 2018, about 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Cubcrafters CC11-160 airplane, N1951B, crashed in a river following a wire strike near Browns Valley, California. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The airplane was registered to Plane Fun LLC., Roseville, California, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a local personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Lincoln Regional Airport (LHM), Lincoln, California at 0800. The pilot reported that he was maneuvering about 500 ft over the unpopulated area and studying the river when the airplane must have lost altitude and hit something. A fire broke out and the airplane subsequently crashed in the river. The pilot reported that he was later told that he hit a power line. A witness located on the rivers shore, near the accident site, reported that he observed a yellow airplane maneuvering at a height a little higher than a telephone pole. The airplane circled his location a few times before he lost sight of it behind a pile of dredger tailings. He then heard what he described as an explosion. When he reacquired the airplane, he noticed that there were flames coming out of the right side of the fuselage. He again lost sight of the airplane just before it impacted the river. The river runs generally east to west. The height of the powerlines was about 200 ft and run across the river generally north and south and extend approximately 1 mile. The wreckage was located approximately 2,000 ft east of the powerlines, in about 3 ft of water. The powerline company sent a representative to assess the damage to the power lines. The representative reported that six power lines were separated, and 16 residences were without power. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1951B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1951B-2018-06-15), registration cancelled 2018-06-15, S/N CC11-00406 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CUBCRAFTERS INC CC11-160 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cubcrafters CC11-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/cubcrafters-cc11-160) (registry code 060006N) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CC11-00406 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 135 - Engines: Titan OX-340CC-B3J3 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Plane Fun LLC - Registered owner: Plane Fun LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, May 21, 2017 - Departed: LHM, LINCOLN, CA - Destination: LHM, LINCOLN, CA - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 937 total, 101 in this make and model, 816 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KBAB, 5 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 20180318007339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180318007339A), Mar 18, 2018: Cubcrafters Inc CC11-160, Browns Valley, CA, Substantial damage. In VMC, level flight at approx. 200' AGL, aircraft struck power wires, caught fire, and crashed into the yuba river. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96886. 20.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 18.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467970&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Location (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467971&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Location-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (Witness) (item 3, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467972&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Witness)-Master.PDF - Sheriff's Department Report Excerpt (item 4, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sheriff%27s%20Department%20Report%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 452 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.