Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Quad City Challenger, N638DC; accident occurred May 22, 2019 in Raymond, Hinds County, Mississippi

   



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:


Location: Raymond, MS
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

On May 22, 2019, about 1910 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Chistov Challenger, N638DC, experienced a total loss of engine power during a visual approach for landing to a private airstrip near Raymond, Mississippi. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The pilot was uninjured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight originated from the private airstrip about 1910.

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)

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