# NTSB FTW03LA196: Holmes Challenger II, N20EJ, Eldorado, TX, August 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 2003, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Eldorado, TX - Coordinates: 30.86111, -100.610275 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8611&lon=-100.6103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 57745 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57745/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA196 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb following the separation of the front cockpit throttle control cable resulting from inadequate maintenance. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - throttle/power lever,cable - separation (cause) - maintenance - inadequate (cause) - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The experimental homebuilt single-engine airplane sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb from a private airstrip. The pilot, who occupied the front seat, reported that he applied full power during the takeoff roll, and the airplane rotated approximately midfield on the 2,000-foot dirt airstrip. Subsequently, the throttle cable knob separated from the control, and the airplane settled back to the runway. The pilot applied brakes and tried unsuccessfully to reduce the power. The airplane impacted a tree and a barbed-wire fence beyond the departure end of the runway before coming to rest upright. The throttle cable that runs from the front cockpit throttle control to the aft cockpit throttle control was found separated at the front cockpit attachment bolt. The aft throttle cable, which attaches to the engine, was found intact from the aft cockpit throttle control to the engine. Following a visual inspection of the engine, an engine run was conducted utilizing the aft cockpit throttle control. No discrepancies were found for the engine. The last maintenance inspection was performed in March 1998, and the airplane had accumulated 100 hours since that inspection. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 2003, at 1800 central daylight time a Holmes Challenger II, experimental homebuilt single-engine airplane, N20EJ, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb from a private airstrip on the Crawley Ranch, near Eldorado, Texas. The airplane was co-owned by the pilot and ranch owner, and operated by the pilot under Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the applied full power during takeoff roll, and the airplane rotated approximately midfield on the 2,00-foot dirt airstrip. Subsequently, throttle cable knob separated from the control, and the airplane settled back to the runway. The pilot applied brakes and tried unsuccessfully to reduce the power. The airplane impacted a tree and a barbed-wire fence beyond the departure end of the runway before coming to rest upright. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, examined the tandem seat airplane. The outboard 2 feet of the left wing and spar were found bent upward. Structural damage was found at the fuselage, and the right wing strut. The throttle cable that runs from the front cockpit throttle control to the aft cockpit throttle control was found separated at the front cockpit attachment bolt. The aft throttle cable, which attaches to the engine, was found intact from the aft cockpit throttle control to the engine. Following a visual inspection of the engine, an engine run was conducted utilizing the aft cockpit throttle control knob. No discrepancies were found for the engine. According to the maintenance data provided to the NTSB, the last inspection was performed on March 31, 1998, and the airplane had accumulated 100 hours since that inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20EJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20EJ-2011-08-08), registration cancelled 2011-08-08, S/N 1332, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Holmes Challenger II - Registry model: [Holmes Henry E CHALLENGER II SPEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/holmes-henry-e-challenger-ii-spec) (registry code 05605BG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Leonard B. Wideman - Departed: Eldorado, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 20° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KSJT ## 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 20030815025229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030815025229A), Aug 15, 2003: Semco CHALLENGER, El Dorado, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The engine idled during take-off, due to loose throttle control. The aircraft struck a tree and a fence off field landing. 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.