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December 6, 1997 · John T Simpson Challenger II Challenger · N11644

Rainbow City, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 6, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Rainbow City, AL
Aircraft
John T Simpson Challenger II Challenger
Tail Number
N11644
Operator
Bruce Diener
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL98LA018

Witnesses stated that the airplane appeared over the tops of the trees, flying towards them. The witnesses saw the airplane gain altitude, then stall into the trees, and nose dive into the ground. The pilot had about 5 hours of flight training in another airplane. According to the co-owner of the airplane, the non-certificated pilot had no formal training in the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with the ground. A related factor was the pilot's lack of flying experience.

Full Narrative

On December 6, 1997, about 0907 central standard time, a John T. Simpson Challenger II experimental airplane, N11644, stalled into trees, then collided with the ground, in Rainbow City, Alabama. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the local fight. The uncertified pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. Origination of the flight was a private airstrip near Rainbow City, about 0900, on the same day. Witnesses stated that the airplane appeared over the tops of the trees, flying towards them. The airplane gained altitude and lost altitude, and sounded as if it was not running well. The witnesses saw the airplane gain altitude, then stall into the trees, and nose dive into the ground. The airplane was a homebuilt Challenger II, which is a single engine, two seat airplane. It was built by John T. Simpson and co-owned by Mr. Simpson and the pilot. According to the FAA inspector, the aircraft co-owner/builder stated that the pilot was unable to control the jointly owned airplane. He stated that the pilot purchased the airplane in June of 1995, and the pilot and builder agreed to become partners in the airplane in August of 1996. Each man was supposed to get a pilot's certificate. The pilot did not get his pilot's certificate as agreed. According to the co-owner of the airplane, the pilot had no formal training in the airplane. He had about 5 hours of flight training in another airplane. A post mortem examination of the pilot was completed December 8, 1997 by the Gadsden County Medical Examiner's Office. A toxicological examination of the pilot was completed by the Federal Aviation Administration's Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory on March 30, 1998. The results were positive for fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, nordiazepam, desipramine, bupropion, bupropion metabolite, and phentermine. All substances were found in both the liver and kidney fluid. According to the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR), fluoxetine, desipramine, and bupropion are all prescription antidepressants. Norfluoxetine and bupropion metabolite are metabolites of antidepressants. Nordiazepam is a metabolite of a prescription tranquilizer, and phentermine is a prescription stimulant used to treat obesity. All of the above medications act upon the central nervous system. The PDR lists possible side effects of the above medications as drowsiness, dizziness, anxiety, seizures, and hyperactivity.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:07 CST
Nearest AirportSouthside Airport (1nm NNW)
Runway34
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftJohn T Simpson Challenger II Challenger
Tail NumberN11644
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBruce Diener
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsBombardier · ROTAX 503 · Reciprocating · 52
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:16
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data