# NTSB CEN12CA555: Brown Mitch Challenger II, N167MB, Dexter, MO, August 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 15, 2012, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Dexter, MO - Coordinates: 36.775276, -89.941108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7753&lon=-89.9411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84729 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA555 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84729/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84729 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA555 ## Probable cause The operation of an airplane by a noncertificated pilot and his failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brown Mitch CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05617FH), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Brown Mitch CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05617FH), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brown Mitch CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05617FH), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Brown Mitch CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05617FH), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Brown Mitch CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05617FH), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot reported that he was flying the experimental airplane between 50 and 300 feet above ground level. The airplane’s front landing gear hit a power line wire, which resulted in the airplane impacting the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that he did not see the power lines crossing the field and that there was no mechanical malfunction of the airplane prior to the wire strike. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was flying the experimental airplane between 50 to 300 feet above ground level. The airplane’s front landing gear hit a power line wire which resulted in the airplane impacting the terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that he did not see the power lines crossing the field, and that there was no mechanical malfunction of the airplane prior to the wire strike. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N167MB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N167MB), registered now, S/N CH2-0403-2313 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BROWN MITCH CHALLENGER II - Registry model: [Brown Mitch CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/brown-mitch-challenger-ii) (registry code 05617FH) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CH2-0403-2313 - Engines: ROTAX 503 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Russell David Collins - Registered owner: Russell David Collins - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: Neelyville, MO - Destination: DXE, Dexter, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20120815029159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120815029159A), Aug 15, 2012: Brown Mitch CHALLENGER II, Fisk, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was flying low level across a field when he struck power lines and crashed. Aircraft received substantial damage. Pilot received minor injuries. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84729. 829 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 757 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement to FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377533&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20FAA%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.