# NTSB IAD97LA069: Jaquish Challenger Spec II, N9213A, Mansfield, PA, April 29, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1997, 18:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Mansfield, PA
- Coordinates: 41.800807, -77.070114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8008&lon=-77.0701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA069

## Probable cause

inadequate visual lookout by the pilot, which led to an in-flight collision with an electrical wire.  Related factors were: low altitude flight by the pilot, and the proximity of the transmission line.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

This was a local personal flight. According to the pilot, he was coming in to land at an air strip in a field. The pilot stated he decided to fly low to check the condition of the field. According to him, as he was approaching the field, his left wing struck an electrical wire. The aircraft then struck the ground 50 to 100 yards before the threshold.

## Factual narrative

On April 29, 1997, at about 1805 eastern daylight time, N9213A, a Amateur Built Challenger II, owned and operated by the private pilot, sustained substantial damage after impacting an unmarked electrical wire approximately 40 feet above the ground while making a low pass over a potential landing area in Mansfield, Pennsylvania.  The pilot and sole occupant received serious injuries.  Visual Meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he had been in flight about an hour before he spotted an airstrip in a field.  The pilot stated he decided to fly low over the strip to observe its condition.  He set up an approach to the south.  According to the pilot, when he was about 50 to 100 yards before the threshold, the airplane struck an electrical wire with the left wing.  The pilot stated the airplane became uncontrollable and descended into the ground.

The full serial number for this aircraft is: CH2-0395-CW-1317.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9213A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9213A-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N CH2-0395-CW-1317, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JAQUISH CHALLENGER SPEC II (CHALLENGER)
- Registry model: [Jaquish Francis M JAQUISH/CLGR SPEC II](https://openairdocs.org/model/jaquish-francis-m-jaquish-clgr-spec-ii) (registry code 05602EF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH2-0395-CW-
- Airframe hours: 65
- Engines: Bombardier ROTAX 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Francis M. Jaquish
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 1997, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 350 total, 65 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19970429007419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970429007419A), Apr 29, 1997: Mansfield, PA, Substantial damage. Making low pass over possible landing area, hit unmarked electrical wire. Lost control, crashed. (.4)on April 29, 1997, at about 1805 eastern daylight…

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.

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