Investigator In Charge (IIC): Hodges, Michael
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado
Akima Logistics Services LLC
Location: Air Force Academy, Colorado
Accident Number: CEN22LA297
Date and Time: July 1, 2022, 12:25 Local
Registration: N469AK
Aircraft: CUB CRAFTERS INC CC18-180
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Glider tow
On July 1, 2022, about 1225 mountain daylight time, a Cub Crafters CC18-180 airplane, N469AK, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. The pilot sustained minor injury. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 glider tow flight.
The pilot completed the preflight activities and flew a tow pattern and was on the second tow flight to an altitude of about 9,500 ft above msl. The tow and glider release were uneventful.
The pilot classified the approach to the airfield as normal and he prepared for a wheel landing with the airplane. As the airplane was level to slightly nose up for the wheel landing, the pilot reported he encountered “meteorological conditions I hadn’t seen/felt before.” The airplane began to “drift quickly left” and “more forcibly than normal turning tendencies.” The drift pushed the airplane over the grass area and the pilot decided to initiate a go-around. As the airplane accelerated during the go-around, it started “turning/yawing” even though the pilot tried to accelerate straight and level. The pilot surmised this was from the same meteorological effect that initially pushed the airplane left and he classified it as a “wind vane effect.” The pilot noticed that the airplane seemed to yaw to the right without the wing drop characteristics of an aerodynamic stall. The airplane descended, it touched down, and came to rest inverted in a grass field. The pilot was able to egress from the airplane via the cockpit door without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or that engine that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the estimated density altitude for the airfield was 8,977 ft above msl.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CUB CRAFTERS INC
Registration: N469AK
Model/Series: CC18-180 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAFF, 6572 ft msl
Observation Time: 12:27 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C /9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 5000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 25000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.25 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Military VFR
Departure Point: Air Force Academy, CO
Destination: Air Force Academy, CO
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 38.978041,-104.82332 (est)
Aircraft landed, ran off runway and became inverted.
Date: 01-JUL-22
Time: 17:55:00Z
Regis#: N469AK
Aircraft Make: CUBCRAFTERS
Aircraft Model: CC18
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: SERIOUS
Flight Crew: 1 Serious Injuries
Pax: 0
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
City: COLORADO SPRINGS
State: COLORADO
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