# NTSB ANC92LA048: Gerald G. Holland Challenger II, N30781, Fairbanks, AK, March 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1992, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.810523, -147.719116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8105&lon=-147.7191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA048

## Probable cause

EXCESSIVE TAXISPEED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LACK OF FAMILIARIZATION WITH AIRCRAFT AND INADEQUATE AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING A FAMILIARIZATION HIGH SPEED TAXI TEST WITH APPROXIMATELY HALF THE THROTTLE ADVANCED, THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AND DRIFTED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE BACK OVER THE RUNWAY, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO AILERON RESPONSE AS THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO CLIMB IN A LEFT TURN. THE AIRPLANE THEN STARTED TO LOSE ALTITUDE AND THE LEFT WING AND THEN THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. DURING THE POST-CRASH INSPECTION, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30781](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30781-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 0679, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GERALD G. HOLLAND CHALLENGER II (CHALLENGER)
- Registry model: [Holland Gerald G CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/holland-gerald-g-challenger-ii) (registry code 95708BA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 679
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: ROTAX 503 46 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Holland, Gerald G.
- Registered owner: Holland, Gerald G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: FAI, Fairbanks, runway 19, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 279 total, 205 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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.

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