# NTSB BFO93LA032: Morgan Challenger II, Quinton, VA, February 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1993, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Quinton, VA
- Coordinates: 37.529857, -77.10987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5299&lon=-77.1099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA032

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO A NEUROLOGICAL INJURY AND DRUGS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(organic problem), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE UNREGISTERED HOMEBUILT WAS OBSERVED TO TAKE OFF, REMAIN IN THE PATTERN, LAND BACK ON THE RUNWAY, THEN TAKE OFF AGAIN. AS IT TURNED ONTO THE FINAL APPROACH LEG, IT SUDDENLY NOSED DOWN AND STRUCK THE GROUND ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE RUNWAY. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED AS 18 KTS GUSTING TO 22. THE PILOT'S CERTIFICATES WERE PREVIOUSLY REVOKED BECAUSE OF 'SUSTAINED PERMANENT NEUROLOGICAL INJURY' FROM A PREVIOUS HOMEBUILT ACCIDENT. TOXICOLOGY TESTS OF THE PILOT'S LIVER TISSUE REVEALED 1.7 MG/KG OF IMIPRAMINE, 6.0 MG/KG OF DESIPRAMINE, AND O.2 MG/KG OF LIDOCAINE (PRESCRIPTION DRUGS).

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MORGAN CHALLENGER II (CHALLENGER)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH21290CWO59
- Engines: HIRTH 2703-2C 55 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerry Wayne Morgan
- Registered owner: [ Not Registered ]
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: W96
- Destination: W96
- Airport: W96, New Kent, runway 28, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, invalid medical for flight; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,075 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 18 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 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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