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March 28, 2015 · Cub Crafters CC18 180 NO Series · N550BS

Westfield Township, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 28, 2015
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Westfield Township, OH
Aircraft
Cub Crafters CC18 180 NO Series (2006)
Tail Number
N550BS
Operator
Syme Robert P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA15LA027

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

On March 28, 2015, about 1958 Eastern daylight time, a Carbon Cub 18-180 airplane, N550BS, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during the landing at Crazy Bob's Airfield (2OI4), Westfield Center, Ohio. The commercial pilot performed the flight while visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The solo pilot received serious injuries. The airplane departed Loraine County Regional Airport (LPR), Loraine/Elyria, Ohio about 1900, with Crazy Bob's Airfield as the intended destination. In a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot reported that he obtained the flight's weather planning information using television and radio weather reports. His departure time was 1930, and sunset occurred at 2015. The destination runway was runway 27. The pilot further acknowledged that the turn from base to final was the last memory he could recall pertaining to the events of the accident. The initial point of impact was located in the southern tree line near the approach end of runway 27. One large treetop, approximately 3 inches in diameter with what appeared to be yellow paint transfer from the right wing of the airplane, was found suspended in the tree line, along with several smaller branches found on the ground in the same vicinity. The airplane wreckage was situated on the runway, approximately 100 feet from the initial point of impact, adjacent to the tree line. The airplane was intact and came to rest inverted. The airplane was moved into the pilots' hangar at the airport where a post-accident examination was conducted under the supervision of an FAA Inspector. The examination revealed there were no pre-impact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The right wing leading edge, outboard of wing's lift strut attachment, had a semi-circular, concave indentation, and a 12 inch span-wise dent, which was 8 inches deep. An examination of the onboard engine data management system revealed that manifold pressures and exhaust gas temperatures were indicative of an ascent to a cruising power, cruise flight, and a descent.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:58 EDT
Nearest AirportCrazy Bob'S Airport (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length1600 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCub Crafters CC18 180 NO Series
Tail NumberN550BS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSyme Robert P
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C4P · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 81 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind330° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 10 C
Altimeter30.28 inHg
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data