# NTSB CEN26LA085: Quad City Challenger, N194JR, Greenbrier, AR, January 6, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 6, 2026, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Greenbrier, AR - Coordinates: 35.178313, -92.334985 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1783&lon=-92.3350&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA- FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202273 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202273/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202273 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA085 ## Probable cause The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the landing. ## 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: [Adams William E JR CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05627Z6), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Adams William E JR CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05627Z6), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Adams William E JR CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=05627Z6), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md) - [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: [Adams William E JR CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05627Z6), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Adams William E JR CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05627Z6), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Adams William E JR CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05627Z6), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Adams William E JR CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05627Z6), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Adams William E JR CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05627Z6), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Adams William E JR CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05627Z6), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot reported that while landing, the airplane encountered a downdraft and was pushed toward the runway surface. He attempted to correct by applying full power; however, the airplane touched down and exited the right side of the runway. During the runway excursion, the airplane skidded and turned 180° which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and the right forward lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N194JR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N194JR), registered now, S/N CH2-1105-2696 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: QUAD CITY CHALLENGER (II) - Registry model: [Adams William E JR CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-william-e-jr-challenger-ii) (registry code 05627Z6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Ultralight, amateur-built - Serial number: CH2-1105-2696 - Airframe hours: 436.7 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 2025 - Airport: 12A, Arkavalley, runway 18, 3,133 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KORK, 21 nm away - METAR: KORK 062155Z AUTO 20005KT 10SM CLR 22/13 A2982 RMK AO2= ## 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 20260106000699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260106000699A), Jan 6, 2026: Adams William E Jr CHALLANGER II, Greenbrier, AR, Substantial damage. The PIC purchased the aircraft on the day of the accident. The PIC verbally stated that they did not have a pilot’s certificate and stated on the questionnaire… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202273. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20182023&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 987 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20181737&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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. --- 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.