# NTSB FTW02LA150: Aubrey Challenger II, N2NX, Lubbock, TX, May 12, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 2002, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Lubbock, TX - Coordinates: 33.485553, -101.8125 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4856&lon=-101.8125&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 29, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54687 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54687/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54687 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA150 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was in his initial climb after takeoff at 200-300 feet AGL when the engine lost power. He turned right to clear some power lines and tried to glide to a parking lot. Subsequently, the aircraft contacted a berm of soft dirt. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 2002, approximately 1630 central daylight time, an Aubrey Challenger II homebuilt experimental airplane, N2NX, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff from the Town and Country Airport, Lubbock, Texas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to information provided in the enclosed NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the airplane was in the initial climb after takeoff at 200-300 feet AGL when the engine lost power. He turned right to clear some power lines and tried to glide to a parking lot. Subsequently, the aircraft contacted a berm of soft dirt resulting in structural damage to the fuselage. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2NX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2NX-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N CH20391CW0660, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aubrey Challenger II - Registry model: [Arner Aubrey CHALLENGER II SPEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/arner-aubrey-challenger-ii-spec) (registry code 05676TD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CH20391cw0660 - Engines: Hirth 2703 55 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harvey H. Madison - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 2002 - Departed: F82, Lubbock, TX - Destination: F82, Lubbock, TX - Airport: F82, Town & Country Airpark, runway 35, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 16, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 95 total, 12 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.29 inHg ## 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 20020512007929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020512007929A), May 12, 2002: Amtr CHALLENGERII, Lubbock, TX, No damage. (-23) On may 12, 2002, while operating near Lubbock Town and Country airport (F86), the aircraft reportedly lost power. The pilot initiated an emergency… ## Other investigations on N2NX (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 LAX98LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA192), Jun 7, 1998: Arner Challenger II S (N2NX), Pleasant Valley, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power due to a loose spark plug wire cap caused by a broken spark plug retainer spring. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 10, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54687. 680 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 680 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.