Friday, September 11, 2020

Quad City Challenger II ELSA, N56906: Fatal accident occurred September 10, 2020 near West Wind Airpark (TN64), Sweetwater, Tennessee

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee
Rotax; Vernon, British Columbia, Canada


Location: Sweetwater, TN
Accident Number: ERA20LA312
Date & Time: 09/10/2020, 1600 EDT
Registration: N56906
Aircraft: QUAD CITY CHALLENGER
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 10, 2020, at 1600 eastern daylight time, an experimental, light-sport Quad City Challenger II, N56906, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident shortly after takeoff from West Wind Airpark (TN64), Sweetwater, Tennessee. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

According to owner, the pilot taxied to the end of the runway and began the takeoff roll. As the airplane gained altitude it continued to fly straight and level with no airframe or engine anomalies. About 1/2 mile from the airport, the airplane nosed over and disappeared behind trees.

The airplane impacted terrain in the backyard of a residential property. The wreckage debris path was about 30 ft long and oriented on a magnetic heading of 180°. Ground scars at the accident site and damage to the airplane were consistent with the airplane impacting terrain in a nose-low attitude. A postimpact fire consumed most of the wreckage; all major structural components of the airplane were located within the debris field.

Initial examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector verified flight control continuity from the cockpit to all primary flight control surfaces. The engine crankcase was intact. Two of the propeller blades were bent aft, the other separated about midspan; all of the blades were thermally damaged.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: QUAD CITY
Registration: N56906
Model/Series: CHALLENGER II
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:No 
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light:Day 
Observation Facility, Elevation: KTYS, 980 ft msl
Observation Time: 1600 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 30 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 21°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 10°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Sweetwater, TN (TN64)
Destination: Sweetwater, TN (TN64)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 35.555000, -84.519722

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.

Tim Williamson
July 19, 1967 - September 10, 2020

Timothy Wade Williamson, age 53 of Loudon, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2020 from injuries received in a flying accident.

Tim was born to Maurice Clair “MC” and Shirley May (Young) Williamson in Port Hueneme, CA. He served his country in the US Air Force. He was formerly employed with TECO Transport and Trade Company in Tampa as a Port Engineer. He was married to Laura Beth Sleeth Williamson for 22 years and they blended their family and enjoyed settling in East Tennessee.

Laura stated Tim cared about four things, God, Family, Friends and Flying. He became fascinated with flying at the early age of 15, hanging around the airstrips, catching a ride from whoever would give him one. From there he became determined to learn to fly himself. He piloted ultra-lite sport aircraft. He looked forward every year to the Sun & Fun air show in Lakeland, Florida where he had volunteered his time for the last 30 years.

Tim was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Williamson in June of 2020. He is survived by his wife, Laura Williamson, Loudon; children, Cassie Dishon, FL, Michael (Bridgett) Williamson, Madisonville and Wade Williamson, II, Loudon; father, M.C. Williamson, FL; grandchildren, Kaleb Andrew and Kayce Barrett Williamson; sister Kimberly Wilder (Scott), and Kevin Williamson (Paula) all of Florida; nieces and nephews, Cory, Chase and Claire Wilder, Ashleigh and Chloe Williamson; special aunts and uncles, Carol, Louise, Joy, Charlie and Alvin and a lot of best friends.

A gathering remembering Tim will be held October 3rd at 3:00 pm at the West Wind Airpark in Sweetwater, TN. Please come prepared to share a special memory. Light refreshments and fellowshipping will follow the time of sharing.

A service with full military honors will be held at the National Veterans Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida where his remains will be laid to rest at a later date.
 
Timothy Wade Williamson

NIOTA, Tennessee — A Loudon County man died after a small plane crashed in McMinn County Thursday afternoon.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a Quad City Challenger II plane crashed in a field in Niota around 4 p.m., killing the pilot.

Sheriff Joe Guy identified the pilot as Timothy W. Williamson.

“It appears the plane had taken off from a private airfield a few minutes before on County Road 322,” said Sheriff Guy.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

2 comments:

  1. It was just registered on 8/24/20 to a GUYOR DAVID H.

    https://flightaware.com/resources/registration/N56906

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Was a Michigan-owner registration before that. Maybe Mr. Williamson was flight testing for the new owner.

      Delete