Patin CHALLENGER II N4281D

Summary

On 3 September 1995 at about 22:53 local time, a Patin CHALLENGER II registered N4281D was involved in an accident near Cedar Springs, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 September 1995 at 22:53

Classification

Accident

Location

Cedar Springs, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

43.2196, -85.5509

Aircraft

Patin CHALLENGER II

Registration

N4281D

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

CHI95LA293

1 person was seriously injured.

inadequate engine maintenance by the owner/pilot-mechanic. Factors associated with the accident were fouled spark plugs and the pilot not being able to maintain proper altitude/clearance between his airplane and the electrical power lines during his landing approach.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

WITNESSES STATED THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE'S ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING DURING ITS INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE AIRPLANE CIRCLED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT FOR A LANDING. DURING ITS APPROACH THE AIRPLANE'S TAIL WHEEL STRUCK A POWER LINE AND THE AIRPLANE PITCHED DOWN AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED CONTROL CABLE CONTINUITY WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE CONTROL SURFACES, AND FOUR FOULED SPARK PLUGS, TWO THAT HAD NO VISIBLE ELECTRODE GAP. THE PILOT SAID THE PLUGS DIDN'T HAVE TO BE CLEANED OR CHANGED UNTIL THEY OPERATED FOR 50 HOURS. THE PILOT SAID THE PLUGS HAD BEEN USED ABOUT 50 HOURS. AN ENGINE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE SAID THE PLUGS NEED TO BE CHANGED AFTER 25 HOURS OF ENGINE RUNNING TIME. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THE ENGINE MUST BE DECARBONIZED AFTER 50 HOURS OF OPERATION. THE PROCEDURE IS TO INSPECT THE ENGINE AFTER DISMANTLING THE CYLINDERS, HEADS, AND PISTONS. THE OWNER/PILOT SAID HE CHECKED FOR CARBONIZATION BY LOOKING IN THE EXHAUST PORT. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT PROCEDURE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.