# NTSB WPR23LA020: Cub Crafters FX-3, N751AK, Hot Springs, MT, October 4, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 4, 2022, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Hot Springs, MT · airport environment - Coordinates: 47.612437, -114.61346 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6124&lon=-114.6135&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - 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: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 106163 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106163/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106163 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA020 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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: [Aaa CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05640WY), [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: [Aaa CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05640WY), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aaa CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05640WY), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, the airplane touched down in a three-point attitude and slightly ballooned. After the airplane touched down again, the airplane swerved to the left, started to rotate, and subsequently ground looped. The right wing and aileron were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N751AK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N751AK), registered now, S/N CCX-2000-0138, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CUB CRAFTERS FX-3 - Registry model: [Aaa CCX-2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/aaa-ccx-2000) (registry code 05640WY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming CC363I](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-cc363i) (registry code 41465, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CCX-2000-0138 - Year built: 2022 - Airframe hours: 120 - Engines: LYCOMING CC363I 186 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: GPI, Kalispell, MT - Destination: SO9, Hot Springs, MT - Airport: S09, Hot Springs, runway 24, 3,550 × 45 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 210 total, 38 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KMLP, 44 nm away - METAR: KMLP 041653Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 15/M01 A3027 RMK AO2 SLP170 T01501006 ## 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 20221004017329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221004017329A), Oct 4, 2022: Aaa Aircraft LLC CCX-2000, Hotsprings, MT, Substantial damage. The pilot made an approach to the Hotsprings Airport with the intent to make a 3 wheel touchdown, resulting in a groundloop and excursion off of the left side… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106163. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 590 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14916835&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120-1%20WPR23LA020_Redacted-Rel-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14672825&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20photo%20WPR23LA020-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.