# NTSB CHI90DEP01: Wychen Challenger II, N91269, Warrens, WI, October 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1989, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Warrens, WI
- Coordinates: 44.130489, -90.500465 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1305&lon=-90.5005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEP01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEP01

## Probable cause

A BROKEN CRANSKSHAFT WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING A PRIVATE STRIP, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE LOST POWER.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED & THE PILOT WAS INJURED, WHILE LANDING ON AN EARTHEN DIKE BETWEEN CRANBERRY BEDS.  AN EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED ITS CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91269](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91269), registered now, S/N CH20187WD225, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WYCHEN CHALLENGER II (CHALLENGER)
- Registry model: [Van Wychen James CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/van-wychen-james-challenger-ii) (registry code 05676BK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH20187WD225
- Airframe hours: 82
- Engines: ROTAX 503 DC 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James G. Van Wychen
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 120 total, 85 in this make and model, 86 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19891022042059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891022042059A), Oct 22, 1989: Amtrqc CHALLENGER2, Warrens, WI, Substantial damage. Engine failed on takeoff. Homebuilt crashed on forced landing. Found broken crankshaft. Student carried a passenger

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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