# NTSB ATL95LA147: Quadcity Challenger I, Anniston, AL, July 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1995, 19:50 local (Jul 18, 1995, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Anniston, AL
- Coordinates: 33.780242, -85.899948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7802&lon=-85.8999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3605
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3605/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA147

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, following an undetermined engine malfunction.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD AN EXPIRED STUDENT PILOT/THIRD CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. FAA RECORDS INDICATED HE HAD 160 TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED BY THE PILOT'S WIFE, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE SPUTTERED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. A COURSE REVERSAL WAS STARTED. DURING THE TURN THE NOSE PORPOISED, THEN THE AIRPLANE FELL STRAIGHT DOWN. IT COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 60 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, AND SLID DOWN THE TREE TRUNK TO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A BALLISTIC PARACHUTE WHICH HAD NOT BEEN ACTIVATED. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE WAS PLACED ON A TEST MOUNT AND SUCCESSFULLY OPERATED. IT RAN NORMALLY AND SMOOTHLY, DURING THE TEST.

## Factual narrative

On July 17, 1995, about 1950 central daylight time, an unregistered homebuilt, kit airplane collided with a tree during maneuvering flight near Anniston, Alabama. The aircraft was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The student pilot was fatally injured, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight, moments before the accident, was the Weaver, Alabama, airport, which is adjacent to the police jurisdiction for Anniston, Alabama.

After takeoff, the pilot turned left, which took the aircraft over Anniston, Alabama, police jurisdiction. According to the pilot's wife, the engine was heard to sputter. The aircraft reversed course back toward the airport. She noted that the nose of the aircraft porpoised slightly, then the aircraft fell straight down. A police officer stated that the aircraft struck a tree about 60 feet above the terrain, then slid down the tree trunk to the ground. A ballistic parachute, which had not been activated, was found in the wreckage.

According to Federal Aviation Administration Records, the pilot was issued a student pilot/third class medical certificate on June 1, 1992, with the restriction that he must wear lenses for distant vision, and possess glasses for near vision. His total civil hours were listed as 160.

Following the accident, the engine was mounted on a test stand and operated from idle to 75% of its rated power. It operated smoothly and normally, during the test.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: QUADCITY CHALLENGER I (CHALLENGER)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 526
- Engines: ROTAX 447 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aubrey L. Roberson
- Departed: 25A
- Airport: 25A, Mcminn, runway 26, 2,650 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; flight hours: 160 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANB, 8 nm away

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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