Sunday, March 18, 2018

Cubcrafters CC11-160, registered to Plane Fun LLC and operated by the pilot, N1951B: Accident occurred March 18, 2018 in Marysville, Yuba County, California



The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Sacramento, California

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N1951B


Location: Browns Valley, CA
Accident Number: WPR18LA107
Date & Time: 03/18/2018, 0830 PDT
Registration: N1951B
Aircraft: CUBCRAFTERS INC CC11-160
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

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.



Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 66, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/25/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/05/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 937 hours (Total, all aircraft), 101 hours (Total, this make and model), 816 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CUBCRAFTERS INC
Registration: N1951B
Model/Series: CC11-160 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: CC11-00406
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/21/2017, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1350 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 135 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: Titan
ELT: C126 installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: OX-340CC-B3J3
Registered Owner: PLANE FUN LLC
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: PLANE FUN LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None



Meteorological Information and Flight Plan


Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBAB, 113 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1558 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 191°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.19 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 6°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: LINCOLN, CA (LHM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: LINCOLN, CA (LHM)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0800 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: In-Flight
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  39.219722, -121.411389 (est)


March 18, 2018 – This morning just before 9am, Yuba County Sheriff responded to the scene of a small plane accident along the edge of the Yuba River just west of Sycamore Ranch in Browns Valley. A witness that was shooting on private property along the river called 911 to report seeing a low flying plane on fire crash into the river. 

The plane’s single occupant, 66 year old pilot Timothy Bennett, was able to exit the cockpit of the Cubcrafters CC11-160 and was sitting on top of the aircraft which was in approximately 3 feet of water in a side channel along the main channel of the Yuba River. He was conscious and talking, as the witness called for rescue.

CHP helicopter H20 responded to the area and landed and rescued the pilot from the plane and transported him to higher ground nearby where other rescue personnel were waiting to treat the pilot. He was transported by ambulance to a Sacramento area hospital for treatment of what appeared to be minor scrapes and burns, and a possible broken ankle.

The witness reported having seen the Cubcrafters CC11-160 circling the area prior to hearing a small explosion then seeing the plane on fire and quickly losing altitude before crashing. Initial investigation indicates the plane struck power lines in the area. PG&E on scene advised approximately 16 houses experienced a loss of power and crews will be on scene to restore power but with no estimated time of repair reported.

The plane had departed the Lincoln airport and the pilot was reportedly on a scenic recreational flight. The FAA will investigate the accident and Yuba County Sheriff’s Office and OES are arranging for the plane to be removed from the river at this time. Fish and Wildlife officials on scene had no concern for environmental impact to the river.

Original article can be found here ➤  https://yubanet.com




YUBA COUNTY, Calif. (KCRA) — The pilot of a Cubcrafters CC11-160 was injured after he struck a power line and crashed into the Yuba River Sunday morning. 

Pilot Timothy Bennett, 66, was rescued by a California Highway Patrol helicopter, the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department said.


Yuba deputies said Bennett, who was the only person on board, was treated for minor scrapes and burns and a possible broken ankle at a hospital.

Deputies said the crash occurred around 9 a.m. near the 5000 block of Highway 20 in Browns Valley. Browns Valley is about 13 miles from Marysville in Yuba County.


The Yuba County Sheriff’s Department said a witness told 911 dispatchers the plane was on fire before it crashed.


The witness said the plane was circling the area before they heard a small explosion. The witness told deputies that the plane then quickly lost altitude and crashed, the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department said.


After the crash, officials said Bennett exited the cockpit and climbed on top of the aircraft. The plane was in about three feet of water in a side channel along the main Yuba River, deputies said.


Investigators discovered the plane struck a power line. PG&E told deputies about 16 houses in the area lost power as a result, and said crews will work to restore power to the homes.


The FAA said the plane is a Cubcrafters CC11-160.


The small plane left Lincoln airport for a scenic, recreational flight, deputies said.


Officials are working to remove the plane from the river. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is not concerned about environmental risks.


The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.


Story and raw video ➤ http://www.kcra.com


YUBA COUNTY, Calif - Authorities on Sunday morning rescued a pilot at the Yuba River after his Cubcrafters CC11-160 crashed and knocked down power lines, but luckily the pilot received only minor injuries and left a few houses without power.

According to the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were dispatched to the edge of the Yuba River just west of Sycamore Ranch in Brown’s Valley just before 9 a.m.

A witness along the river called 911 to report a low flying plane on fire crash into the river.

The pilot known as 66-year-old Timothy Bennett was able to escape the cockpit of the plane and sit on top of the aircraft while waiting to be rescued.

The cockpit of the aircraft was approximately 3 feet of water in a side channel along the main channel of the Yuba River, according to YCSD.

CHP helicopter H20 responded to the river and rescued Bennett, who was conscious and breathing fine but was later sent to UC Davis Medical Center for minor scrapes and burns and possibly a broken ankle.

The witness said they saw the small plane circling the area prior to hearing a small explosion.

Initial investigation indicates the plane struck power lines in the area, which caused 16 houses to lose power and PG&E was on scene to restore power, but with no estimated time of repair, according to YCSD.

Deputies said the plane had departed the Lincoln Airport and the pilot was reportedly on a scenic recreational flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the accident and sheriff’s deputies have attempted to remove the plane from the river.


Story and raw video ➤ http://www.actionnewsnow.com

YUBA COUNTY —  A Cubcrafters CC11-160 landed in the Yuba River Sunday morning around 8:30 a.m., according to Cal Fire.

The pilot, 66-year-old Timothy Bennett, was transported to UC Davis with minor injuries.

Yuba County Sheriff’s Office confirms that Bennette has a broken ankle as well as scrapes and burns but he is stable.

The plane landed along the edge of the Yuba River just west of Sycamore Ranch in Browns Valley, according to the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office.

Bennett was able to climb to the top of the aircraft which was in approximately three-feet of water.

CHP helicopter, H20 responded to the call and transported the pilot to higher ground where other rescue personnel were waiting.

Yuba County Sheriff’s Office reports that a witness saw a Cubcrafters CC11-160 on fire and losing altitude after hearing a small explosion. The witness then called 911.

The plane struck power lines in the area according to Yuba County Sheriff’s Office. PG&E crews are on scene and report about 16 houses are without power. No estimated time of repair has been determined.

The plane departed form Lincoln airport on a scenic recreational flight.

The FAA will investigate the accident.

Original article can be found here ➤ http://fox40.com



A Cubcrafters CC11-160 crashed in the Yuba River near Marysville Sunday morning, the Yuba County Sheriff's Department reported.

The pilot, Timothy Bennett, was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Around 9 a.m. Sunday morning, someone shooting on private property near the river heard a small explosion and then spotted a plane on fire falling from the sky. The plane had been circling the area prior to the crash, the witness said.

The witness called the Sheriff's Department to report the crash into the river west of Sycamore Ranch in Browns Valley, the department said in a press release.

The plane was in about 3 feet of water in a side channel of the Yuba River when officers arrived on scene. Bennett, 66, had climbed out of the cockpit and was sitting on top of the Cubcrafters CC11-160.

Bennett had taken off from the Lincoln airport and was reportedly on a recreational flight to take in the scenery.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew brought Bennett to shore and he was then taken by ambulance to a Sacramento-area hospital, the Sheriff's Department said.

The initial investigation found that Bennett's plane struck power lines in the area and knocked out power to about 16 homes. PG&E responded to the scene and was working on repairs as of 1 p.m. Sunday. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash and Yuba County officials are working on moving the plane, the Sheriff's Office said.

Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.sacbee.com

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