# NTSB ERA21LA347: Quad City Challenger, N1225G, Geneva, AL, September 1, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 1, 2021, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Geneva, AL - Coordinates: 31.052625, -85.868944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0526&lon=-85.8689&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103793 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA347 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103793/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103793 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA347 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Gonzales Mark S CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056398R), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Gonzales Mark S CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056398R), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Gonzales Mark S CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056398R), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he adjusted the engine carburation system on the airplane prior to the flight. While approaching to land, the pilot reduced power and the engine lost total power. The pilot made several attempts to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The airplane lost altitude and was substantially damaged when it impacted the roof of a shed. During a postaccident engine examination, no mechanical anomalies were discovered internally within the engine. The carburetors were removed, and a small cut was discovered on a fuel line along with dry rot on the rubber boot for the front carburetor manifold. The engine then was removed and placed on another airframe for a test run. The test run was completed successfully with no anomalies noted. Based on these findings, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2021, about 1700 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Challenger II, N1225G, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Geneva, Alabama. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he adjusted the carburetors on the airplane prior to the flight. The pilot departed and stayed in the airport traffic pattern. While approaching to land, the pilot reduced power while turning onto the base leg. As he turned onto the final leg, he attempted to increase power, but the engine “quit.” He made several attempts to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The airplane lost altitude and collided with the roof of a shed. During the postaccident examination of the engine, it was examined using a borescope, and all four spark plugs were removed. No anomalies were discovered internally within the engine’s cylinders. The carburetors were removed and examined; both were in good operating order. During the examination, a small “cut” was discovered on the fuel line where a clamp held the fuel line to the front carburetor. There was no sign of a leak at the time of examination. The examination also revealed that the rubber boot that held the front carburetor to the manifold was dry rotted. The engine was removed and placed on another airframe for a test run. The engine was started, and a test run was completed successfully with no anomalies noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1225G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1225G-2022-09-22), registration cancelled 2022-09-22, S/N CH2-0697-1632, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: QUAD CITY CHALLENGER (II) - Registry model: [Gonzales Mark S CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/gonzales-mark-s-challenger-ii) (registry code 056398R) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CH2-0697 1632 - Year built: 2021 - Airframe hours: 22 - Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, June 8, 2021, 22 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 33J, Geneva Municipal Airport - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 422 total, 22 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KEDN, 15 nm away - METAR: KEDN 012115Z AUTO 25004KT 10SM SCT046 SCT055 32/23 A2980 RMK AO2 T03200225 ## 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 20210901015209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210901015209A), Sep 1, 2021: Gonzales Mark S CHALLENGER II, Geneva, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot retarded throttle while turning from downwind to base. While turning from base to final, power was increased, resulting in engine failure. Several… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103793. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12871789&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%2033J_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 693 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12881329&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20N1225G-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - engine examination summary (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12872337&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20FAA%20examination%20summary%20%20N1225G-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 561 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12873502&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA347-Rel.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.