Pilot Debrief

Cub Crafters CCK-1865 near Valley Center, CA — 2020-06-01

Final reportWPR20LA157
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Date
2020-06-01
Location
Valley Center, CA, USA
Aircraft
Cub Crafters CCK-1865
Registration
N303KP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was circling over a residence during a local flight. Witness video and flight tracking information indicated that, after completing a 360° turn, the airplane’s bank angle exceeded 40°. During the final turn, about 200 ft above ground level (agl), the airplane’s airspeed dropped below the published stall speed and the airplane stalled, entering a nose-low descent toward the ground. A sound spectrum analysis revealed that the engine was producing power at the time of the accident, and recorded engine data revealed no evidence of anomalies. Control continuity was confirmed. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and impact with terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided tight turns at low speed and altitude.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • ADS-B / radar
  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

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