# NTSB DEN07CA153: Jones Challenger II, N41734, Edgewood, NM, September 5, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2007, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Edgewood, NM - Coordinates: 35.077777, -106.167221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0778&lon=-106.1672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 66594 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66594/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA153 ## Probable cause The loss of aircraft control after encountering a dust devil. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated that approximately 100 feet above ground level, at the departure end of the runway, the airplane began to yaw to the right. The pilot stated that he added left rudder and aileron; however, the airplane did not respond. The airplane continued to yaw to the right, the nose dropped, and the airplane impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the airplane flight controls and systems revealed no pre-impact anomalies. The pilot reported that he may have encountered a dust devil. Multiple dust devils were observed in the area within 2 hours of the accident. ## Factual narrative According to a telephone conversation with the pilot, he was conducting touch and go landings on runway 27 (4,830 feet by 3 feet, asphalt). He stated that he had conducted two previous touch and go landings without issue or incident. The pilot stated that approximately 100 feet above ground level, at the departure end of the runway, the airplane began to yaw to the right. The pilot stated that he added left rudder and aileron; however, the airplane did not respond. The airplane continued to yaw to the right, the nose dropped, and the airplane impacted the ground. The right wing partially separated at the wing root and the spar was broken. The left horizontal stabilizer and elevator was crushed and bent forward. An examination of the airplane flight controls and systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no pre-impact anomalies. The pilot reported to the FAA Inspector and the NTSB IIC that he may have encountered a dust devil. The FAA Inspector observed multiple dust devils in the area within 2 hours of the accident. He also report the winds as being relativily calm, despite the dust devil activity. The pilot estimated the winds to be 250 degrees at 5 to 7 knots. Winds in the area were recorded as 290 degrees at 13 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41734](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41734-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N CH2-0202-2187, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jones Challenger II - Registry model: [Jones Durwood L CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/jones-durwood-l-challenger-ii) (registry code 05617LD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CH2-0202-2187 - Airframe hours: 308 - Engines: Rotax 203UL 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2007 - Departed: 1N1, Edgewood, NM - Destination: 1N1, Edgewood, NM - Airport: 1N1, Sandia Airpark Estates East, runway 27, 4,830 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 1,113 total, 276 in this make and model, 924 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: CQC, 25 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 20070905017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070905017699A), Sep 5, 2007: Amtr CHALLENGERII, Edgewood, NM, Destroyed. (-23) On September 5, 2007, at 1140 MDT, an experimental amateur-built aircraft model challenger ii, N41734, registered to the pilot, impacted terrain after… 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.