Antonovich Anton B CHALLENGER II N7511J

Summary

On 3 October 2008 at about 23:00 local time, a Antonovich Anton B CHALLENGER II registered N7511J, operated by Richard H. Roiland, was involved in an accident near Chugiak, Alaska, 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

3 October 2008 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Chugiak, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.4000, -149.5139

Aircraft

Antonovich Anton B CHALLENGER II

Registration

N7511J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Richard H. Roiland

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Birchwood → Birchwood

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC09FA003

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, resulting in an in-flight collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot departed on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, local area personal flight in an experimental light sport homebuilt airplane. A witness reported seeing the airplane flying about 100 feet above trees before the engine noise increased, and the nose pitched down. The airplane subsequently descended nose first into dense woods. The pilot’s flight instructor reported to the NTSB that he had given the pilot 19.2 hours of flight instruction, but the pilot had not progressed to a point where he could endorse him for a solo flight. He said that the pilot routinely struggled with pitch control during takeoff, landing, or when engine power was increased or decreased. Examination of the airplane did not disclose any preimpact mechanical malfunction. Given the lack of mechanical deficiencies with the airplane's engine or flight controls, in conjunction with the witness and the flight instructor’s statements, it is likely the pilot failed to adequately maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.