# NTSB ERA15CA229: Wilson Michael A Challenger II, N8547W, Lebanon, TN, May 22, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2015, 18:04 local (22:04 UTC) - Place: Lebanon, TN - Coordinates: 36.200752, -86.31929 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2008&lon=-86.3193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91272 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91272/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91272 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA229 ## Probable cause The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, uncontrolled descent, and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of training and flight experience in the accident airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wilson Michael A CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=059035V), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wilson Michael A CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=059035V), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Wilson Michael A CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=059035V), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Wilson Michael A CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=059035V), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Wilson Michael A CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=059035V), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot stated that when he took off in his airplane, it began to turn to the left. He was unable to stop the turn and the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The pilot said that he just purchased the airplane and this was his first flight. He had not received any training in the airplane prior to the flight and had not received any recent flight instruction in any aircraft. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-mishap mechanical discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The non-certificated pilot stated that when he took off in his airplane, it began to turn to the left. He was unable to stop the turn and the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The pilot said that he just purchased the airplane and this was his first flight. He had not received any training in the airplane prior to the flight and had not received any recent flight instruction in any aircraft. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-mishap mechanical discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8547W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8547W-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N CH2-0603-CW-2331, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WILSON MICHAEL A CHALLENGER II - Registry model: [Wilson Michael A CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/wilson-michael-a-challenger-ii) (registry code 059035V) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CH2-0603-CW-233 - Year built: 2004 - Engines: ROTAX 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: M54, Lebanon, TN - Destination: M54, Lebanon, TN - Airport: M54, Lebanon Municipal, runway 04, 1,801 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: MQY, 15 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 20150522009099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150522009099A), May 22, 2015: Wilson Michael A CHALLENGER II, Lebanon, TN, Substantial damage. The non-certificated pilot took off on runway 4 at Lebanon. A video showed the airplane slowly yawing and banking left, as if no right rudder was used after… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91272. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 563 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430052&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430053&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage (item 4, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430054&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage-Master.PDF 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.