# NTSB CHI91DEX04: Wilbur D. Batman Challenger II, N503DB, Lebanon, IN, July 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1991, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Lebanon, IN
- Coordinates: 40.050746, -86.470046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0507&lon=-86.4700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEX04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEX04

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN STALL AIRSPEED WHILE EXECUTING A FORCED LANDING.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT IS FAILURE OF THE ENGINE STARTER CLUTCH.

## 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, maneuvering
  - engine accessories,engine starter - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AFTER PERFORMING A FLY OVER OF A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP.  PILOT ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING WITHIN THE FIELD BOUNDARIES AND STALLED THE AIRCRAFT AT APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET ABOVE GROUND, AND IMPACTED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED ENGINE STARTER CLUTCH CAUSED THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N503DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N503DB-2002-05-20), registration cancelled 2002-05-20, S/N 90CW0554, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WILBUR D. BATMAN CHALLENGER II (CHALLENGER)
- Registry model: [Batman Wilbur D CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/batman-wilbur-d-challenger-ii) (registry code 05676NX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 90CW0554
- Airframe hours: 19
- Engines: ROTAX 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wilbur D. Batman
- Registered owner: Wilbur D. Batman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 24, 1991, 19 hours before
- Departed: 614, IN
- Airport: NONE, Sport Aircraft Fld.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 404 total, 17 in this make and model, 314 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 22 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 19910704026319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910704026319A), Jul 4, 1991: Amtrqc CHALLENGER2, Lebanon, IN, Substantial damage. Engine slowed and quit on climbout. Crash landed. Starter clutch bearing failed,jammed crankshaft stopping engine.

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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