# NTSB LAX07CA074: Quad City Ultralight Challenger Special, Orland, CA, January 20, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 20, 2007, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Orland, CA - Coordinates: 39.716667, -122.133331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7167&lon=-122.1333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65228 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65228/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA074 ## Probable cause The pilots improper in-flight decision to continue the flight rather than refuel resulting in fuel exhustion and the loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The engine lost power and the airplane impacted trees during the ensuing forced landing in an orchard 2 miles from the destination airport. The pilot had initiated the flight with 9.5 gallons of fuel on board. En route the pilot encountered adverse headwinds, and he subsequently reported that he could have diverted to alternate airports, but his "mind was set to continue" toward his destination. The pilot said that after flying about 2 3/4 hours, the fuel supply was exhausted. The unregistered airplane's fuel tank had a capacity of at least 9.5 gallons, which exceeded the 5-gallon maximum capacity requirement set forth in 14 CFR Part 103. ## Factual narrative On January 20, 2007, about 1315 Pacific standard time, a Quad City Ultralight, Challenger Special (unregistered airplane), experienced a total loss of engine power on final approach to the Haigh Field, Orland, California. The airplane impacted almond trees and broke its wings during the ensuing forced landing in an orchard about 2 miles from the destination airport. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial certificated pilot was not injured during the personal flight that was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Lodi, California, about 1030. The pilot verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he was aware his Challenger Special did not qualify to be operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 103, and technically it was not an ultralight vehicle. According to the pilot, he had departed Lodi with about 9.5 gallons of fuel on board, and the engine lost all power when the fuel was exhausted. The pilot additionally reported in his completed "Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report" that en route the prevailing wind speed increased. Although he could have landed at several airports prior to reaching his destination, his "mind was set to continue" onward, and he attempted to complete the flight. The Federal Aviation Administration coordinator verbally reported to the Safety Board investigator that he examined the accident airplane. The coordinator stated that the Challenger was not an ultralight vehicle for several reasons including the fact that, contrary to the requirements within 14 CFR Part 103, it had a fuel capacity that exceeded 5 U.S. gallons. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Quad City Ultralight, LLC Challenger Special - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: NONE - Engines: Rotax 503 28 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fredrick P. Derose - Registered owner: Aircraft Not Registered - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special) - Departed: 1O3, Lodi, CA - Destination: O37, Orland, CA - Airport: O37, Haigh Field, runway 33, 4,500 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 816 total, 816 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F 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.