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May 16, 2020 · Vaughn Challenger Special · N97KV

Clarksville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 2020
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Clarksville, TN
Aircraft
Vaughn Challenger Special (1997)
Tail Number
N97KV
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA20LA188

The pilot performed the descent, the approach, aligned his airplane with the runway and flew the length of the runway at a power setting of approximately “70 percent.” At the completion of the low pass and a few seconds into the climb, the pilot noticed a “lack of climb performance with full power applied” and performed a forced landing to trees. The pilot stated there was nothing wrong with the performance and handling of the airplane prior to initiating the climb. Atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to “serious icing at glide power.” Following the accident, the airplane’s engine, which was not equipped with carburetor heat, was successfully run on the airframe with no anomalies noted that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Conducive to carburetor icing-Effect on operation

Full Narrative

On May 19, 2020, at 0920 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Challenger Special, N97KV, was involved in an accident near Titan Field (TN23), Clarksville, Tennessee. The pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector, the pilot provided a written statement and discussed the accident with him. The pilot stated that he completed a 30-minute local flight and returned to TN23 for landing. He described the descent and the arrival over the river that ran perpendicular to the approach end of the landing runway, which had ponds bordering both sides at the departure end. The pilot said he planned a "tight" base turn and then a low approach down the turf runway to alert fisherman along runway's edge. The pilot performed the descent, the approach, aligned his airplane with the runway and flew the length of the runway at a power setting of approximately "70 percent." At the completion of the low pass, and "2-3 seconds into the climb" the pilot said he noticed a "lack of climb performance with full power applied." The pilot initially turned to avoid powerlines and trees at the departure end of the field but selected the trees as his forced landing site. When asked about the performance and handling of the airplane, the pilot said "Everything was fine until …" he increased throttle for the climb. The airplane was powered by a Rotax 503 50-horsepower engine that was not equipped with carburetor heat. At 0956, the temperature recorded at Fort Campbell Army Airfield (KHOP) was 25°C (77°F), and the dew point was 20°C (68°F). Interpolation of an carburetor icing probability chart contained in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 revealed that atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to "serious icing at glide power." After the accident, continuity of the flight control system was confirmed by the FAA aviation safety inspector, and a successful post-accident engine run was performed on the airframe with no anomalies noted that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 CDT
Nearest AirportTitan Field (0nm NW)
Runway13
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVaughn Challenger Special
Tail NumberN97KV
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Basc · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time14:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data