No fatalities

Tailwheel Instructional Flight Ends in Runway Excursion and Nose-Over

Crookston, MN, United States

On September 19, 2008, a CUB CRAFTERS CC18-180 operated by UND AEROSPACE FOUNDATION was involved in an aviation accident near Crookston, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 15 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During an instructional flight, two flight instructors conducted touch-and-goes on a turf runway before switching to a paved runway. After a stable landing, the airplane drifted left, then veered right and nosed over after departing the runway.

Background

The purpose of the instructional flight was to gain experience in flying a tail wheel configured airplane from the rear seat. Both occupants were flight instructors. The supervising instructor occupied the front seat, while the instructor seeking experience flew from the rear seat.

Accident Sequence

The pilots initially performed two touch-and-go landings on a turf runway without incident. As other aircraft entered the traffic pattern for an intersecting paved runway, they decided to use that runway instead. The initial approach and flare to runway 13 (4,300 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) were stable. After touchdown, the airplane drifted to the left. As the rear seat (flying) pilot attempted to correct, the airplane veered to the right. It subsequently departed the right side of the runway and nosed over.

Pilot Experience

The supervising instructor reported a total flight time of 1,497 hours, with 3 hours in the same make and model airplane. The rear seat (flying) pilot reported a total flight time of 377 hours, with 2 hours in the same make and model.

Environmental Conditions

Winds were from 270 degrees at 5 knots.

Aircraft and Systems

The supervising instructor reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Sept 2008 CUB CRAFTERS CC18-180 accident near Crookston, MN?

During an instructional flight, two flight instructors conducted touch-and-goes on a turf runway before switching to a paved runway. After a stable landing, the airplane drifted left, then veered right and nosed over after departing the runway.

Were there any fatalities in the 19 Sept 2008 CUB CRAFTERS CC18-180 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Sept 2008 involved a CUB CRAFTERS CC18-180, operated by UND AEROSPACE FOUNDATION, at Crookston, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.