# Accident 20200322001269A: Bower Robert C CHALLENGER II, Lettsworth, LA, March 22, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 22, 2020, 16:31 local time
- Place: Lettsworth, LA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.9383° N, 91.7931° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9383&lon=-91.7931&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6138Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6138Z-2022-07-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bower Robert C CHALLENGER II (registry code 05605U9, https://openairdocs.org/model/bower-robert-c-challenger-ii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOWER ROBERT C CHALLENGER II
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN20LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA131) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200322001269A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AT APPROXIMATELY 1630L ON MARCH 22, 2020, N6138Z (LIGHT SPORT CHALLENGER II), SERIAL NUMBER CH2-0997-R-1657 WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP IN LETTSWORTH, LOUISIANA.  DURING THE LANDING, WIND CAUSED THE PILOT TO ABORT THE LANDING.  WHILE TRYING TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE AND THE PILOT LOST CONTROL CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO IMPACT THE GROUND IN A NEIGHBORING FIELD.

THERE WAS ONE SOUL ONBOARD.  THE PILOT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS AIRLIFTED TO RAPIDES REGIONAL HOSPITAL.  AS PER FIRST RESPONDERS, THE PILOT NEVER LOST CONSCIOUSNESS, BUT HAS SEVERAL BROKEN BONES.

WITH THE PILOT BEING HOSPITALIZED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.

THE AIRCRAFT (N6138Z) SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, DISCOVERED THE PILOT DOES NOT HAVE A PILOT'S CERTIFICATE AND THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME HE HAD EVER FLOWN AN AIRCRAFT ALONE. HE HAD ASSUMED THE AIRCRAFT WAS A ULTRA-LIGHT AIRCRAFT AND DID NOT REQUIRE A PILOT'S CERTIFICATE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN20LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA131), Mar 22, 2020: Bower Challenger II (N6138Z), Lettsworth, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The owner/pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane due to his lack of training and experience, resulting in a collision with a tree.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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