Pilot Crashes When Blinded by Sun Glare (Carbon Cub FX-3 - N358AK)

[Neal]

This one was in today's General Aviation News email. Sadly, a Carbon Cub FX-3

Pilot Crashes When Blinded by Sun Glare — General Aviation News

Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper decision to continue an approach with his vision obscured by sun glare, which resulted in a collision with a tree.

generalaviationnews.com

 

[Cactus Charlie]

Certificate: Student
Flight Time: 203 hours (Total, all aircraft), 114 hours (Total, this make and model)

 

[ve6yeq]

Interesting note that the ELT activated but did not help in locating which suggests that the ELT GPS did not work. I wonder if this was the carbon fibre seat blocking the GPS signal?

 

[Cactus Charlie]

Interesting note that the ELT activated but did not help in locating which suggests that the ELT GPS did not work.

I think you will find the accident would have been immediately obvious to those in the vicinity. No need for an ELT and no reason to think it did not work.

 

[Neal]

Yeah. I took it as ELT not needed to find the plane. I wonder though how many in the field have their ELT off and don’t know it. I know of one that found theirs OFF.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

Sadly, a Carbon Cub FX-3

The accident aircraft is registered as CCX-2000 but it has a 3 blade prop and an IO-390 engine.

What is an FX-3 these days?

 

[Neal]

I bet that is a mistake (IO-390). The 3 bladed prop did become available, it's a 78 inch if I recall and was NOT recommended.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I bet that is a mistake (IO-390).

It does seem like an error in the FAA registration record. The accident pilot declared the engine to be an CC363i in the NTSB Pilot Operator Report (NTSB accident docket).

 

[Cactus Charlie]

The 3 bladed prop did become available, it's a 78 inch if I recall and was NOT recommended.

I thought the 3 blade would look cool, perhaps have lower vibration, and would certainly have better ground clearance. I immediately decided against it when I was shown the static thrust data for the three prop choices.

 

[Neal]

The biggest feedback I heard was it created a harmonic inside the airplane. The chord looked narrow and I wasn't thrilled with it only being 78 inches. Now if I could get a 3 blade 80 inch or better on the FX-3, I may have considered it. In the end, I think the 80/83 two blade sounds like the ideal prop for this plane. Performance is not an issue at sea level where I operate.