Cubcrafter CCK-1865 N53KK

Summary

On 16 February 2021 at about 17:30 local time, a Cubcrafter CCK-1865 registered N53KK was involved in an accident near Quartzite, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 February 2021 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Quartzite, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Private (PVT)

Coordinates

33.5700, -114.2500

Aircraft

Cubcrafter CCK-1865

Registration

N53KK

Category

Airplane

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR21LA113

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff while operating in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with a cactus and the subsequent impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he planned to depart from his 700-foot gravel private-airstrip for a short scenic-flight. After preforming a preflight inspection, the pilot reviewed the weather conditions. The wind direction was reported as variable with velocities under 10 knots. After an uneventful takeoff roll to the south, the airplane became airborne and immediately started to drift east. The airplane remained in ground effect and would not continue to climb, which the pilot thought was consistent with windshear in the area. Despite his efforts, the pilot was unable to avoid a collision with a Saguaro cactus. The airplane spun and descended to the ground, colliding with a ditch. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The closest METAR weather reporting facility, located 15 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, recorded that around the time of the accident the wind was from 300° at 6 knots and gusting to 18 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.