# NTSB WPR21LA129: Cubcrafters CC11-160, N38LW, Arlington, AZ, March 11, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 11, 2021, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, AZ · Desert mountain strip
- Coordinates: 33.19686, -112.77101 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1969&lon=-112.7710&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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102755/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102755
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA129

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a cactus and impact with terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [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)

## 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: [Cubcrafters CC11-160, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=060006N), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from an off-airport location, the airplane collided with a Saguaro cactus. The airplane spun to the left and impacted the ground, before coming to rest in a ravine. The left-wing spar was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38LW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38LW), registered now, S/N CC11-00185, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CUBCRAFTERS INC CC11-160
- Registry model: [Cubcrafters CC11-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/cubcrafters-cc11-160) (registry code 060006N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Cubcrafter CC340](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cubcrafter-cc340) (registry code 18050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CC11-00185
- Year built: 2011
- Airframe hours: 499.8
- Engines: Cubcrafters CC340 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2020
- Departed: E63, Gila Bend, AZ
- Destination: PO8, Coolidge, AZ
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 13, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,532 total, 790.1 in this make and model, 2,532 as pilot in command, 5.6 in the last 90 days, 4.1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KLUF, 28 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 20210311003449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210311003449A), Mar 11, 2021: Cubcrafters Inc CC11-160, Arlington, AZ, Substantial damage. On March 11,2021, airman departed the coolidge airport (P08). He then flew to the gila bend airport (kgxf) for fuel. Next next he flew to a remote site…

## 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=102755. 3.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12267637&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12263084&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-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.

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