# NTSB CHI98LA002: Mikowski Challenger II S, N19006, Lake City, MI, October 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 1, 1997, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Lake City, MI - Coordinates: 44.33086, -85.200218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3309&lon=-85.2002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10754/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA002 ## Probable cause the improper oil to gas mixture in the fuel during refueling and the pilot did not follow the written instructions from the kit manufacturer. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot could not maintain directional control and the low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - improper (cause) - altitude/clearance - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - refueling - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot departed the airport for a short local flight. The pilot stated he throttled back and could no longer maintain control of the aircraft. He said he tried to increase the power, but the engine quit. He descended in a left bank into trees. The previous day the pilot added a door kit to the aircraft. The manufacturer of the kit recommends adding a rudder trim tab to the aircraft. No trim tab was found. Examination revealed that the fuel in the tank had 'excessive oil to fuel ratio.' The engine run unsuccessful until the spark plugs were changed. ## Factual narrative On October 1, 1997, at 1830 eastern daylight time (edt), a Mikowski Challenger II S, N19006, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it collided with the terrain shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight departed Home Acres Sky Ranch Airport, Lake City, Michigan, at 1828 edt. In the pilot's written statement he said he took off to fly over a farm field. The pilot said he "throttled back a little and started a shallow left turn." He stated as he tried to get out of the bank, the airplane would not respond. The pilot said he then "tried to give it more power and the engine quit." He said the airplane "continued in the downward left spiral until it hit a tree." Several witnesses saw and heard the crash. One witness stated he "...observed an airplane that was flying really low to the trees and then [he saw] the airplane make a U-turn..." and crash into trees. Other witnesses only heard the aircraft engine quit and heard the tree impact. The owner/pilot of the aircraft reported putting a Challenger II door kit on his aircraft the day prior to the accident. A notice that comes with the kit states that there will be right rudder trim necessary when flying the aircraft with the doors installed. The manufacturer of the kit recommends adding a 6-inch by 3-inch trim tab on the rudder, which should be "deflected to the left about 20 to 30 degrees." No trim tab was found on the aircraft. A test of the engine by Optimus Aircraft Service of Lake City, Michigan, witnessed by two inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Grand Rapids FSDO, found the fuel in the tank had an "excessive oil to fuel ratio." An attempt to run the engine was not successful with the original spark plugs. New spark plugs were installed in the engine and the engine ran normal. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19006](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19006-2000-01-18), registration cancelled 2000-01-18, S/N CH20391CW0652 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mikowski CHALLENGER II S (CHALLENGER) - Registry model: [Mikowski James A CHALLENGER II SPECL](https://openairdocs.org/model/mikowski-james-a-challenger-ii-specl) (registry code 05676SL) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Ultralight, amateur-built - Serial number: CH20391 - Airframe hours: 64 - Engines: Rotax 521 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dale Junior Solem - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Y91 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 135 total, 11 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CAD ## 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 19971001029359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971001029359A), Oct 1, 1997: Amtr CHALLENGERII, Lake City, MI, Destroyed. Lost control on takeoff. (.4)the pilot departed the airport for a short local flight. The pilot stated he throttled back and could no longer maintain control… 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.