CubCrafters CC18-180, N437CC: Accident occurred August 01, 2018 in Fairbanks, Alaska

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska
United States Department of the Interior

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

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

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N437CC

Location: Fairbanks, AK
Accident Number: GAA18CA521
Date & Time: 08/01/2018, 1200 AKD
Registration: N437CC
Aircraft: CUB CRAFTERS CC18
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Public Aircraft

Analysis 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was conducting a public aerial observation flight. During takeoff from an off-airport gravel airstrip, the airplane became airborne quickly. He added that the airplane settled back on the airstrip in a tail-low attitude, but he continued the takeoff. He "did not feel or hear any objects strike or damage the aircraft," and due to adverse weather conditions, he continued the flight to an alternate airport without further incident instead of continuing the observation flight.

Postaccident examination revealed leading edge damage and a hole in the left horizontal stabilizer.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's premature liftoff and subsequent settling of the airplane to the gravel airstrip.

Findings

Aircraft
Performance/control parameters - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Use of equip/system - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues 

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff
Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 41, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/05/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/27/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 3130 hours (Total, all aircraft), 500 hours (Total, this make and model), 3080 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 150 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 90 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CUB CRAFTERS
Registration: N437CC
Model/Series: CC18 180
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2012
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: CC18-0059
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/28/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 838.5 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-C4P
Registered Owner:  U S Department Of The Interior
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: Bureau of Land Management
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PACE, 920 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 50 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1956 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 92°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 9000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 11000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Light and Variable /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.67 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Fairbanks, AK (FAI)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Fairbanks, AK (FAI)
Type of Clearance: Traffic Advisory; VFR
Departure Time: 0915 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  65.607222, -146.778889 (est)