Quad City Challenger II, N4469Z: Accident occurred January 21, 2021 near Florida Flying Gators Ultralight Airport (3FD4), Minneola, Lake County, Florida

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 Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

https://registry.faa.gov/N4469Z

Location: Minneola, FL

Accident Number: ERA21LA109

Date & Time: January 21, 2021, 09:45 Local 

Registration: N4469Z

Aircraft: Plante Challenger II 

Injuries: 1 Serious

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On January 21, 2021, about 0945 eastern standard time, an amateur-built Challenger II, N4469Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near the Florida Flying Gators Ultralight Airport (3FD4), Minneola, Florida. The pilot/owner was seriously injured. The airplane was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to a law enforcement official, who responded to the scene, the pilot stated he was inbound to 3FD4 and while flying with a tailwind, lost "propulsion." The airplane then took a “nose-dive” and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.

A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed that the propeller-to-engine drive belt was broken and laying across the empennage.

The belt was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Plante 

Registration: N4469Z

Model/Series: Challenger II NO SERIES

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built: Yes

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: ORL,112 ft msl

Observation Time: 09:53 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 25 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C /12°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 2260°

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Minneola, FL

Destination: Minneola, FL

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 Serious 

Latitude, Longitude: 28.62612,-81.80011