# NTSB CHI92DCD02: Quad City Challenger, Blakesburg, IA, February 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1992, 10:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Blakesburg, IA
- Coordinates: 40.95998, -92.630279 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9600&lon=-92.6303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCD02

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING FINAL APPROACH. WEATHER CONDITIONS, HIGH WIND AND TURBULENCE, WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE UNREGISTERED HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND.  THE PILOT WAS NOT CERTIFICATED. THE NEAREST WEATHER REPORTING FACILITY, 12 MILES NORTHEAST, REPORTED WINDS FROM 320 DEGREES MAGNETIC AT 23 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 29 KNOTS 50 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: QUAD CITY CHALLENGER
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: NONE
- Engines: ROTAX 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Staggs
- Registered owner: John Staggs
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: CSQ, CRESTON, IA
- Airport: 5C2, Blakesburg, runway 36, 2,185 × 84 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 10 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 23 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OTM, 12 nm away

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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