Amateur-built Cub accident near Parsons, Kansas, December 28, 2024
On December 28, 2024 at about 7:25 pm local time, a 1992 amateur-built Cub, registered N719LB, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Parsons, Kansas (Papas Dream Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while on final approach to land.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 28, 2024 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- Parsons, Kansas · Papas Dream Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Cub, built 1992
- Registration
- N719LB · no longer on the register · serial 1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was on final approach to land when the airplane collided with power lines and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage and the pilot was seriously injured. When interviewed, the pilot stated he had no recollection of the accident. A witness reported the airplane was flying low and was in a left bank when it struck the power line. The witness thought the engine was running and the propeller was spinning at the time of the collision. A postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot did not return a completed NTSB Accident/Incident Report form 6120.1/2.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 447 hours in all; 253 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Ford 3.8L V6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 2,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 41°F (5°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.45 inHg
- Observation at 1:39 pm from KCNU, 25 miles away
Weather report (METAR): SPECI KCNU 181939Z AUTO 32009KT 10SM OVC015 05/00 A3045 RMK AO2 T00500000=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident airplane being recovered
Photograph 2 – Ground scars
Photograph 3 – Accident airplane being recoveredThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on April 22, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAA - Inspector's Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Site Diagram | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum of Record - NTSB Request for 6120_1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.