# NTSB FTW93LA102: Mistretta Challenger II, N3207C, Albuquerque, NM, March 11, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1993, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.180046, -106.589729 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1800&lon=-106.5897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA102

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS HIS POSSIBLE ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE STATED THAT AS HE TURNED FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE, HE WAS UNABLE TO ROLL OUT OF THE LEFT TURN.  HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE RUDDER DID NOT SEEM TO RESPOND.  THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED IN THE LEFT BANK UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE GROUND.  THERE WERE MOUNTAINS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT AND TOWERING CUMULUS WAS REPORTED IN THE WESTERN, NORTHERN, AND EASTERN QUADRANTS OVER THE MOUNTAINS.  NO EVIDENCE OF PRE IMPACT FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Factual narrative

On Thursday, March 11, 1993, at approximately 1030 mountain standard time, a Mistretta built Challenger II amateur built airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground at the Coronado airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The airplane, owned and operated by the private pilot, was on a 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area.  The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

The pilot stated that as he turned from downwind to base for landing on runway 21, he was unable to roll out of the left turn.  He further stated that the rudder would not respond.  The airplane continued in the left bank until it impacted the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3207C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3207C-1995-09-07), registration cancelled 1995-09-07, S/N CMCH1118 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MISTRETTA CHALLENGER II (CHALLENGER)
- Registry model: [Mistretta Charles CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/mistretta-charles-challenger-ii) (registry code 05676TL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH205L0691
- Engines: ROTAX 505 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mistretta, Charles J.
- Registered owner: Mistretta, Charles J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 4AC
- Destination: 4AC
- Airport: 4AC, Coronado, runway 21, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 209 total, 18 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 10 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 19930311004929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930311004929A), Mar 11, 1993: Amtrqc CHALLENGER2, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Lost control in pattern. Unable to roll out of a turn prior ground impact. Build up in area. Mountain turbulence.

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.