Tuesday, January 08, 2019

Cubcrafters CC11-160, 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 Final 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 

Analysis

The private pilot reported that he was maneuvering at an altitude of about 500 ft over an unpopulated area and studying the river when the airplane must have gone below 500 ft and hit something. A fire started, and the airplane subsequently crashed in the river and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that he was later told that he hit a power line.

The river runs generally east to west. The power lines were about 200 ft tall, ran across the river generally north and south, and extended about 1 mile. The wreckage was located about 2,000 ft east of the power lines in about 3 ft of water. Power line company personnel reported that six power lines were found separated.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot likely was not vigilant in monitoring the environment for obstructions and did not maintain a sufficient altitude to avoid the power lines.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain a sufficient altitude to avoid power lines.  

Findings

Aircraft
Altitude - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Monitoring environment - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Wire - Effect on operation
Water - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information 

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.

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)

Uncontrolled descent
Fire/smoke (non-impact)




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)