Pilot Debrief

CUB CRAFTERS CC18 180 near Westfield Township, OH — 2015-03-28

Final reportGAA15LA027
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Date
2015-03-28
Location
Westfield Township, OH, USA
Airport
2OI4
Aircraft
CUB CRAFTERS CC18 180
Registration
N550BS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a base-to-final turn while landing toward the sun.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he departed on a cross-country flight to his home airport. He planned to arrive about sunset and land to the west. The pilot's last recollection of the events leading up to the accident was initiating a right turn from the base to final leg in the traffic pattern. The airplane wreckage was found inverted on the runway, adjacent to a tree line near the approach end. A semicircular, concave indentation on the leading edge of the right wing exhibited wood and paint transfer marks consistent with marks found on a severed treetop and branches at the initial point of impact. It is likely that the pilot misjudged the airplane's height above the trees when he turned onto final and was flying toward the setting sun.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing approach when conditions became uncertain.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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