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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 28, 2013 · Challenger II · UNREG

Emporia, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 2013
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Emporia, KS
Aircraft
Challenger II
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA514

The pilot was ferrying the experimental, amateur-built airplane back to his home airport. As he approached an en route airport, part of the right wing folded up, and the airplane spiraled down. The airplane impacted trees and came to rest near a creek. The airplane did not have an airworthiness certificate or registration number. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preexisting damage that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not have any of the airplane's previous records; the reason for the right wing folding could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The right wing’s folding up in flight for reasons that could not be determined because an examination did not reveal any abnormalities with the airframe that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On August 28, 2013, about 1130, central daylight time, an unregistered, light sport Challenger II airplane, impacted trees and terrain near the Emporia Municipal Airport (KEMP), Emporia, Kansas. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Herington Regional Airport (KHRU) at an unknown time and was en route to Joplin, Missouri. According to the pilot, he had just purchased the airplane and was in process of flying the airplane back to his home airfield. As he approached KEMP, part of the right wing folded up, and the airplane descended in a spiral. The airplane impacted trees and came to rest near a creek. The pilot reported that the engine was still running and was able to exit the airplane to get help. The airplane's experimental-amateur built data plate annotated the airplane as a Challenger II UL trainer, serial number CH2-0600-R-1983, with a date of manufacture of 06/02/2002 and listed an individual builder. The data plate also listed the empty weight as 358 lbs and an 800 lbs gross weight. There was no record of an experimental-light sport airworthiness certificate, or aircraft registration in accordance with the Light Sport Aircraft rule, that was effective January 2008. The accident pilot added that he did not have any of the airplane's previous owner records. The airplane was recovered to the Emporia airport, where inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration, examined the airplane. The inspectors examined the fractured airframe's tubing. They reported that all of the fractured surfaced indicated static overload. The inspectors were unable to find any fatigue cracks or anomalies with the airframe that would account for the wing failure

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChallenger II
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 82 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data