Antonovich Anton B CHALLENGER II accident near Chugiak, AK
On October 3, 2008, an Antonovich Anton B CHALLENGER II (airplane) was involved in an accident near Chugiak, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 3, 2008
- Place
- Chugiak, AK
- Aircraft
- Antonovich Anton B CHALLENGER II · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 61.400°N, 149.514°W
- NTSB ID
- 20081008X82640
Official records · ANC09FA003
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 3, 2008, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, an experimental light sport (E-LSA) homebuilt Challenger II airplane, N7511J, sustained substantial damage when it collided with tree-covered terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering, about 5 miles northeast of Chugiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when the accident occurred. The non-certificated pilot died at the scene. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area flight. Witnesses reported that the accident airplane departed from the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, about 1455. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on October 7, a helicopter pilot that was inbound to the Birchwood Airport reported that he saw the accident airplane's departure from Runway 19L. He said that just after the accident airplane became airborne, it began to "porpoise" which continued during climb. The helicopter pilot said that just after takeoff, the airplane turned left, while still very low, and flew over an area of hangars and buildings on the northeast side of the airport. In a report to the NTSB, the helicopter pilot wrote, in part: "At one time we thought he was going to hit one of the buildings due to a steep dive. We continued our approach and the aircraft was last observed heading northbound." Witnesses reported to responding emergency crews that just before the
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, resulting in an in-flight collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
