# NTSB WPR21LA113: Cubcrafter CCK-1865, N53KK, Quartzite, AZ, February 16, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 16, 2021, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Quartzite, AZ · Desert - Coordinates: 33.57, -114.25 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5700&lon=-114.2500&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 102645 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102645/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102645 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA113 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff while operating in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with a cactus and the subsequent impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cornum Kara K CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631DM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cornum Kara K CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05631DM), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cornum Kara K CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05631DM), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cornum Kara K CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05631DM), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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: [Cornum Kara K CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05631DM), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he planned to depart from his 700-foot gravel private-airstrip for a short scenic-flight. After preforming a preflight inspection, the pilot reviewed the weather conditions. The wind direction was reported as variable with velocities under 10 knots. After an uneventful takeoff roll to the south, the airplane became airborne and immediately started to drift east. The airplane remained in ground effect and would not continue to climb, which the pilot thought was consistent with windshear in the area. Despite his efforts, the pilot was unable to avoid a collision with a Saguaro cactus. The airplane spun and descended to the ground, colliding with a ditch. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The closest METAR weather reporting facility, located 15 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, recorded that around the time of the accident the wind was from 300° at 6 knots and gusting to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53KK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53KK), registered now, S/N CCK-1865-0018, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cubcrafter CCK-1865 - Registry model: [Cornum Kara K CCK-1865](https://openairdocs.org/model/cornum-kara-k-cck-1865) (registry code 05631DM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Cubcrafter CC340](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cubcrafter-cc340) (registry code 18050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CCK-1865-0018 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 230 - Engines: Engine Components Inc. CC340 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 28, 2020, 51.1 hours before - Airport: PVT, Private - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,942 total, 38.4 in this make and model, 1,859 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KBLH, 15 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 20210216000699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210216000699A), Feb 16, 2021: Cornum Kara K CCK-1865, Quartzsite, AZ, Substantial damage. The pilot attempted to takeoff from a private residence in the desert surrounded by what the pilot identified as many takeoff and landing areas. The pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102645. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12041742&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted_-Rel.pdf - Photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 345 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12041501&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photograph%201-Rel.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.