Quadcity CHALLENGER I UNREG

Summary

On 18 July 1995 at about 00:50 local time, a Quadcity CHALLENGER I registered UNREG was involved in an accident near Anniston, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 July 1995 at 00:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Anniston, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

McMinn (25A)

Coordinates

33.7802, -85.8999

Aircraft

Quadcity CHALLENGER I

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

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

ATL95LA147

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, following an undetermined engine malfunction.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT HAD AN EXPIRED STUDENT PILOT/THIRD CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. FAA RECORDS INDICATED HE HAD 160 TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED BY THE PILOT'S WIFE, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE SPUTTERED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. A COURSE REVERSAL WAS STARTED. DURING THE TURN THE NOSE PORPOISED, THEN THE AIRPLANE FELL STRAIGHT DOWN. IT COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 60 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, AND SLID DOWN THE TREE TRUNK TO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A BALLISTIC PARACHUTE WHICH HAD NOT BEEN ACTIVATED. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE WAS PLACED ON A TEST MOUNT AND SUCCESSFULLY OPERATED. IT RAN NORMALLY AND SMOOTHLY, DURING THE TEST.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.