# NTSB CEN12LA417: Badeaux Challenger II, N16665, New Iberia, LA, June 29, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2012, 08:29 local (13:29 UTC) - Place: New Iberia, LA - Coordinates: 29.961944, -91.83139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9619&lon=-91.8314&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Baton Rouge FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84172 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA417 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84172/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84172 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA417 ## Probable cause The operation of an airplane by a noncertificated pilot and his failure to maintain clearance with the power lines during the landing approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Badeaux Oran P CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05631RV), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Badeaux Oran P CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=05631RV), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Badeaux Oran P CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05631RV), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Badeaux Oran P CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05631RV), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Badeaux Oran P CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05631RV), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot was aware that there were two power lines that he needed to clear during the approach to his private airstrip. He stated that he thought he had cleared both power lines during the approach, when in fact he had only cleared one. He attempted remedial action when he saw the second power line; however, the tailwheel contacted the power line and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2012, at 0829 central daylight time, an amateur-built Badeaux Challenger II, N16665, collided with a powerline while landing on private property in New Iberia, Louisiana. The non-certificated pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated in New Iberia, Louisiana, about 0832. The pilot reported that he knew there were two powerlines that he needed to cross during the approach to land at his private airstrip. He stated he thought he had crossed both powerlines during the approach, when in fact he had only crossed one. When he saw the second powerline he added power and attempted to climb; however, the tailwheel struck the powerline and the airplane subsequently impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that both powerlines were approximately 40 feet tall and they were separated by approximately 200 feet. The aircraft had been registered, but it did not have an airworthiness certificate at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he had flown the aircraft about 5 times prior to the accident, which was the extent of his flight experience with the exception of having flown large scale remote control airplanes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16665](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16665-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N ORAN01 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Badeaux Challenger II - Registry model: [Badeaux Oran P CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/badeaux-oran-p-challenger-ii) (registry code 05631RV) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: ORAN01 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Oran P. Badeaux - Registered owner: Oran P. Badeaux - Departed: New Iberia, LA - Destination: New Iberia, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: serious; flight hours: 5 total, 5 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: ARA, 6 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 20120629016589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120629016589A), Jun 29, 2012: Badeaux Oran P CHALLENGER II, New Iberia, LA, Destroyed. The aircraft was on approach to land on a grass field. On approach, the aircraft hit a power line which caused him to lose control of his aircraft and crash it… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84172. 977 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Police Report (item 3, .PDF, 336 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377507&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-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.