Quad City Ultralight Corp CHALLENGER II accident near Ransom Township, PA
On August 17, 2011, a Quad City Ultralight Corp CHALLENGER II (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ransom Township, PA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 17, 2011
- Place
- Ransom Township, PA
- Aircraft
- Quad City Ultralight Corp CHALLENGER II · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 41.419°N, 75.768°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110818X45258
Official records · ERA11FA463
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 17, 2011, about 1805 eastern daylight time, a Quad City Ultralight Corp. Challenger II, experimental amateur-built airplane, N6613Z, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain while maneuvering in Ransom Township, Pennsylvania. The non-certificated pilot/owner was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot's wife reported that the accident flight was the pilot's first flight in the airplane since he purchased it about 2 years prior. She was not aware that he intended to fly the airplane on the date of the accident and had no specific knowledge of the flight. She further reported that the pilot had recently taken some flying lessons at a nearby airport to practice takeoffs and landings, and he had previously taken flying lessons about 20 years ago. Witnesses observed the airplane maneuvering around several fields which surrounded the accident site and described the engine noise as "sputtering" or "not sounding right." One witness reported that he observed the airplane approaching from the south when he heard the engine rev-up, the airplane climbed, but then "swooped" down toward the ground. He further stated the engine noise seemed to fluctuate from low to high, as the airplane "turned, dipped, and dived." He had lost sight of the airplane and heard the engine rev-up again, just prior to hearing the sound of an impact with trees.
Probable cause
The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of overall flight experience and lack of experience in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
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Browse: Pennsylvania
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
