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June 12, 2007 · Quad City Ultralight Aircraft Challenger II · N204DC

Lodi, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 12, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lodi, CA
Aircraft
Quad City Ultralight Aircraft Challenger II
Tail Number
N204DC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA07LA155

The pilot said that he was maneuvering at 2,000 feet above the ground when the right wing separated from the aircraft. He said that the aircraft was equipped with a Ballistic Recovery System (BRS) emergency parachute, which he immediately deployed. The pilot said that the fuselage and left wing came to rest in a grape vineyard, and he was able to walk away uninjured. Postaccident examination of the wreckage, by a fellow Challenger II pilot, revealed that the "rony bracket" that attached the forward lift strut to the fuselage failed. The bracket was not attached per the Challenger II building manual. The manufacturer's instructions state that the bolt should only be snug. It also warns to not over tighten these bolts holding the brackets to the hollow tubes and that there should be no more than two threads showing past the nut. The bolt on this rony bracket had at least five to six threads showing. Additionally, the end of the hollow tube was deformed into an oval shape, and not round. The remaining rony brackets did have only two threads showing and they could be rotated by hand, per the manufacturer's instructions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The improper assembly of the rony bracket which attached the right wing forward lift strut to the fuselage, the subsequent failure of that bracket, and separation of the right wing from the aircraft.

Full Narrative

On June 12, 2007, at approximately 1050 Pacific daylight time, a Quad City Ultralight Aircraft, Challenger II experimental light sport aircraft (ELSA), N204DC, was substantially damaged when its right wing separated in flight near Lodi, California. The sport pilot, the sole occupant in the aircraft, was not injured. The pilot/owner was operating the aircraft under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal, local flight, which had originated approximately 5 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot said that he was maneuvering at 2,000 feet above the ground when the right wing separated from the aircraft. He said that the aircraft was equipped with a Ballistic Recovery System (BRS) emergency parachute, which he immediately deployed. The pilot said that the fuselage and left wing came to rest in a grape vineyard, and he was able to walk away uninjured. Postaccident examination of the wreckage, by a fellow Challenger II pilot, revealed that the "rony bracket" that attaches the forward lift strut to the fuselage had failed. The bracket was not attached per the Challenger II building manual. The manufacturer's instructions state that the bolt should only be snug. It also warns to not over tighten these bolts holding the brackets to the hollow tubes and that there should be no more than two threads showing past the nut. The bolt on this rony bracket, on the accident aircraft, had at least five to six threads showing. Additionally, the end of the hollow tube was deformed into an oval shape and not round. The remaining rony brackets did have only two threads showing and they could be rotated by hand, per the manufacturer's instructions.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftQuad City Ultralight Aircraft Challenger II
Tail NumberN204DC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 DCDI · Reciprocating · 52
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Sprt · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data