Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Jackson, Mississippi
Rotech Flight Safety Inc; Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Rotech Flight Safety Inc; Lucedale, Mississippi
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Accident Number: CEN19LA149
Date & Time: 05/22/2019, 1910 CDT
Registration: N638DC
Aircraft: CHISTOV CHALLENGER
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries:1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot was conducting a local personal flight in the experimental, airplane. He reported that the engine operated "flawlessly" during the flight; however, on final approach for landing, the engine completely lost power. The pilot trimmed the airplane for its best glide speed and attempted to land, but the airplane impacted the top of a tree and power lines adjacent to the runway and was subsequently destroyed by a postcrash fire.
Fire damage precluded examination of the airplane's fuel system. The internal components of the engine valves and drive train were connected. Several of the internal engine components were not aircraftengine-specific parts; however, whether these components contributed to the loss of engine power could not be determined. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Findings
Not determined (general) - Unknown/Not determined
Factual Information
The pilot stated that he departed from the private airstrip on a local personal flight during which the engine operated "flawlessly." He stated the approach to the airport was normal and uneventful. During short final, the engine completely lost power. The pilot trimmed the airplane for best glide speed and attempted to land but the airplane hit the top of a tree adjacent to the runway and struck powerlines.
The 2-stroke Rotax model 503 engine was examined under the supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration and by a representative of Rotech Flight Safety Inc. The representative stated that post-crash fire damage precluded examination of the fuel system and determination of fuel system contaminants. The internal components of the engine were connected. Several of the internal engine components were not aircraft engine specific parts specified by Rotax.
History of Flight
Approach Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)
Emergency descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Landing Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age:40, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 392 hours (Total, all aircraft), 240 hours (Total, this make and model), 390 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 45 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CHISTOV
Registration: N638DC
Model/Series: CHALLENGER
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: CH20294
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/02/2018, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 960 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 243 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: 503
Registered Owner:Pilot
Rated Power:52 hp
Operator:Pilot
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: JVW, 247 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1855 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 150°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 150°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Raymond, MS
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Raymond, MS
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1910 CDT
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: Private (PVT)
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 1146 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.120278, -90.312778 (est)
TERRY, Mississippi (WLBT) - A plane crashed in Terry on Lebanon Pinegrove Road Wednesday evening, confirms Major Pete Luke.
The 50-year-old pilot from Raymond told investigators that as he approached a landing strip on Jenkin Road, the plane’s engine failed, causing it to crash into power lines and then catch on fire.
According to a witness, the wheels of the plane caught the power lines and flipped upside down.
The witness also said that the pilot unbuckled his seat-belt and fell onto the ground and ran to safety.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the crash.
Law enforcement and emergency vehicles are on the scene.
Entergy is also on the scene. Several homes near the accident are without power.
Story and video ➤ https://www.wlbt.com
The pilot says that he was approaching a landing strip on Jenkins Road, when the engine failed, causing the plane to crash into the power lines and catch fire.
Hinds County Sheriff’s Investigators and personnel from the FAA will be investigating the crash.
No injuries were reported.
Hinds County Sheriff's Department is investigating a small plane crash near Lebanon Pinegrove Road and Jenkins Road in Terry.
HCSD Major Pete Luke says preliminary reports show the plane crashed into power lines and is fully engulfed in flames.
Luke says the pilot is alert and moving around.
Investigators with the Federal Aviation Administration have been notified of the crash.
Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.wjtv.com
Got home from work yesterday evening to find no water pressure, no power. Called Entergy and despite repeated calls to South Central Water Assn, could not get a live person or a response. Finally called 911 to report lack of response from the water company, and they notified the state's public works personnel. Eventually I received a call from a gentleman who said he worked for the power company, and that he had tried to call earlier. I have an AT & T cell phone, and had been checking it repeatedly. No messages appeared. This is an issue that AT & T needs to address, as I believer the water co. employee was telling the truth. Sometimes my voice messages take a day or longer to show up on my phone, and in times of potential public safety danger such delays can be life threatening. I am in my 70's, very active, but many elderly in this area are less so.
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