# NTSB CEN20LA322: Quad City Challenger, N990SS, Jonesboro, LA, August 2, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 2, 2020, 18:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Jonesboro, LA
- Coordinates: 32.213333, -92.729721
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2133&lon=-92.7297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Rotech Flight Safety, FAA Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA322
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101726/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101726
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA322

## Probable cause

Loss of engine power due to the use of improper fuel in the airplane by the non-certificated pilot.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05622H4), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05622H4), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05622H4), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Inspection: scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder; cases with it: [Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md?model=05622H4), [All aircraft, 167 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md)
- [Maintenance/inspections: scheduled maint checks](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010520): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect service/maintenance; cases with it: [Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010520/cases.md?model=05622H4), [All aircraft, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05622H4), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=05622H4), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05622H4), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622H4), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The non-certificated pilot reported that there was a “loud pop” and immediate loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. He was unable to return to the airstrip and executed a forced landing to a wooded area. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The airplane was fueled before the flight; however, the fuel had been stored in the pilot’s hangar and was between 10 and 12 months old. A postrecovery engine examination did not identify any anomalies associated with the engine assembly. Fuel remaining in the carburetor bowls exhibited a dark yellow color consistent with stale automotive gasoline. The pilot’s lack of training and experience with respect to airplane operations likely contributed to his decision to use old, automotive fuel in the airplane. It is likely that the engine lost power due to the old fuel in the fuel system.

## Factual narrative

On August 2, 2020, about 1855 central daylight time, a Quad City Challenger II Special airplane, N990SS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jonesboro, Louisiana. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported a “normal runup and takeoff.” He circled back over the airstrip; however, after rolling out of the turn, he heard a “loud pop and the engine immediately quit.” He was unable to return to the airstrip and executed a forced landing to a wooded area. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Witnesses heard the engine “backfire” and then it seemed to lose power. The airplane entered a gliding right turn, apparently attempting to return to the airport; however, they lost sight of it when it descended below the tree line. A postrecovery engine examination did not identify any anomalies associated with the engine assembly. Fuel remaining in the carburetor bowls exhibited a dark yellow color consistent with stale automotive gasoline. The pilot informed investigators that the airplane was fueled before the flight. The fuel was stored in his hangar and was between 10 and 12 months old. The pilot reported that he did not hold any level of pilot certificate. A review of Federal Aviation Administration records revealed no record of the pilot, who was also the airplane owner, holding any type of pilot, mechanic, or repairman certificate. Additionally, he reported that the airplane condition inspection was “owner inspected.” The operating limitations issued for the airplane required that the condition inspection be completed by a repairman for the airplane, or by an appropriately rated certificated mechanic.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N990SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N990SS-2021-03-30), registration cancelled 2021-03-30, S/N CH2-1004-CW-2537, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: QUAD CITY CHALLENGER (II SPECIAL)
- Registry model: [Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE](https://openairdocs.org/model/winkler-gary-r-challenger-ii-clippe) (registry code 05622H4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH2-1004-CW-253
- Year built: 2006
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: F88, Jonesboro, LA
- Destination: F88, Jonesboro, LA
- Airport: F88, Jonesboro, runway 18, 3,204 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: serious; seat: front; restraint: 4-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: RSN, 19 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 20200802015539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200802015539A), Aug 2, 2020: Winkler Gary R CHALLENGER II CLIPPE, Jonesboro, LA, Destroyed. The operator was taking the passenger on her first airplane ride and was planning on staying in the local area sightseeing. He reported that the take off was…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101726. 29.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 24.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11579417&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot-Operator%20Stmt_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Witness statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11579427&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Wallis%20--%2005Aug2020-Rel.pdf
- Accident photos (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11583500&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN20LA322-Rel.pdf
- Examination summary (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11662017&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary%20--%20CEN20LA322-Rel.pdf
- Conversation summary -- rotech flight safety (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11662352&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Paskevich%20--%2022Oct2020-Rel.pdf
- FAA operating limitations -- N990SS (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11692187&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Operating%20Limitations%20--%20N990SS_redacted-Rel.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.

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