# NTSB ATL91LA078: Lewis Challenger II, N283EL, Thomaston, GA, April 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1991, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Thomaston, GA
- Coordinates: 32.889701, -84.320838 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8897&lon=-84.3208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8391/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA078

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN THE AIRPLANE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRESCRIBED PROCEDURES WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL CONTAMINATION, FOULED SPARK PLUGS, AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE PILOT ALSO FAILED TO FOLLOW NORMAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AFTER LIFTOFF AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - single engine aircraft - other
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N283EL WAS THE THIRD AIRPLANE OF A FLIGHT OF THREE.  THE OTHER AIRPLANES CLIMBED OUT WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT AS N283EL STARTED ITS CLIMB, REPORTEDLY THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED A LEFT TURN AND CRASHED 180 DEGREES FROM THE TAKEOFF HEADING ON THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY.  DURING THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL AND THE SPARK PLUGS WERE FOULED.  THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY REPORTED A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE, BUT LATER REPORTED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN CORRECTED.  ACCORDING TO THE OPERATIONAL LIMITATION FOR THE AIRPLANE, A CONDITIONAL INSPECTION IS REQUIRED ANNUALLY.  THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A COMPLETED CONDITIONAL INSPECTION SINCE THE AIRPLANE WAS CERTIFICATED IN 1988.  SUFFICIENT RUNWAY WAS AVAILABLE FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N283EL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N283EL-1991-08-09), registration cancelled 1991-08-09, S/N 0283 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEWIS CHALLENGER II (CHALLENGER)
- Registry model: [Lewis Eugene G LEWIS CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/lewis-eugene-g-lewis-challenger-ii) (registry code 05676EL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0283
- Airframe hours: 186
- Engines: ROTAX 503 DC 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lewis, Eugene G.
- Registered owner: Lewis, Eugene G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: LAL, LAKELAND, FL
- Airport: RGD, Reginald Grant Memorial, runway 21, 3,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,650 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 35 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910408009339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910408009339A), Apr 8, 1991: Amtrqc CHALLENGER2, Thomaston, GA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Engine quit after liftoff. Stalled and spun in trying to turn back. Had runway ahead. Found water in fuel.

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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