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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 4, 2016 · Rainbow Sky Reach Bushcat · N321WL

Cairo, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Cairo, NE
Aircraft
Rainbow Sky Reach Bushcat (2015)
Tail Number
N321WL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA16CA355

The pilot reported that he took off in meteorological conditions after being weathered in for two days. He further reported that while en route to the destination he encountered deteriorating weather conditions and opted to land at a nearby field to allow the weather to pass. The pilot reported that the terrain looked "manageable and smooth enough to land on", he landed using a soft field landing technique, but during the landing roll the nose wheel dug into the grassy terrain which resulted in a nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 14 miles south east of the accident, revealed that, within about 10 minutes of the crash, the wind was 080 degrees true at 5 knots, visibility 5 statute miles, and overcast at 800 feet. The pilot reported that the lowest ceiling he encountered was 300 feet AGL. As a safety recommendation the pilot reported that he should not have let peer pressure allow him to change his own personal weather minimums.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's decision to fly into deteriorating weather conditions, leading to a precautionary off airport soft field landing which resulted in a nose gear collapse and the airplane to nose over.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that he took off in meteorological conditions after being weathered in for two days. He further reported that while en route to the destination he encountered deteriorating weather conditions and opted to land at a nearby field to allow the weather to pass. The pilot reported that the terrain looked "manageable and smooth enough to land on", he landed using a soft field landing technique, but during the landing roll the nose wheel dug into the grassy terrain which resulted in a nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 14 miles south east of the accident, revealed that, within about 10 minutes of the crash, the wind was 080 degrees true at 5 knots, visibility 5 statute miles, and overcast at 800 feet. The pilot reported that the lowest ceiling he encountered was 300 feet AGL. As a safety recommendation the pilot reported that he should not have let peer pressure allow him to change his own personal weather minimums.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRainbow Sky Reach Bushcat
Tail NumberN321WL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data