# NTSB ERA25LA063: Holtz Rodney R Challenger II, N1666R, Concord, NH, November 20, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 20, 2024, 10:53 local (15:53 UTC) - Place: Concord, NH - Coordinates: 43.202722, -71.502278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2027&lon=-71.5023&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195567 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195567/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195567 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA063 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and eventual stall/mush of the airplane while trying to secure an open door in flight. ## 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: [Holtz Rodney R CHALLENGER II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=059041F), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Holtz Rodney R CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=059041F), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/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: [Holtz Rodney R CHALLENGER II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=059041F), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Holtz Rodney R CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=059041F), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the recently purchased experimental amateur-built airplane submitted a report to the NTSB immediately after the accident. He explained that as he maneuvered the airplane in a left crosswind turn, the gullwing-styled cabin door opened, “creating significant noise and buffeting that affected aircraft stability and directional control.” The pilot said he attempted to secure the door and stabilize the airplane, but that it continued in a left descending turn that he could not arrest, and that he ultimately reduced power and completed a “mushing stall to ground contact” that resulted in no injury to himself but substantial damage to the airframe. A conversation with the airplane kit manufacturer revealed that the airplane was controllable with a door open in flight. He said the airplane required vigilance and proper use of the rudder to maintain coordinated flight and added that those transitioning from production airplanes benefitted from “differences training” because of the design and function of the pedals. An FAA inspector inspected the doors on the airplane and found that they closed and locked securely, and he confirmed flight control continuity. In conversation with the pilot after the inspection, the pilot volunteered that there was nothing wrong with the flight controls of the airplane and that he “may have overcontrolled the aircraft while trying to close the door” which resulted in the hard landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1666R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1666R), registered now, S/N CH2-0899-1897, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HOLTZ RODNEY R CHALLENGER II - Registry model: [Holtz Rodney R CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/holtz-rodney-r-challenger-ii) (registry code 059041F) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CH2-0899-1897 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 511.9 - Engines: ROTAX 503 DCDI 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, August 22, 2024 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CON, Concord Muni, runway 35, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 20, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,351 total, 8 in this make and model, 1,301 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: CON - METAR: KCON 202051Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 12/03 A2978 RMK AO2 SLP086 T01220033 53002 ## 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 20241120019119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241120019119A), Nov 20, 2024: Holtz Rodney R CHALLENGER II, Concord, NH, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that after takeoff he performed a left-hand turn at approximately 1,000 ft above ground level. During the turn the right-hand main entrance door… ## Other investigations on N1666R (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN18CA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18CA291), Jul 23, 2018: Quad City Challenger (N1666R), Oshkosh, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the base to final turn and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195567. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18140236&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18139623&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Kyle%20Allard%20FAA%20II-Rel.pdf - Kit manufacturer memorandum for record (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18900390&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Bryan%20Quickmeyer-Rel-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18140246&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA063%20Photo%20Array%20Drawing-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.