# NTSB LAX91LA160: Burnett, Jerry D. Challenger II, N4555J, Bullhead City, AZ, April 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1991, 07:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Bullhead City, AZ
- Location: 35.1478° N, 114.5683° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bullhead City, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1478&lon=-114.5683&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA160

## Probable cause

THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE PROPELLER.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DETERIORATION OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND THE NONAVILABILITY OF SUITABLE LANDING TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - disintegrated (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - aircraft performance - deteriorated (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE AFTER RECEIVING A 3 HOUR CHECKOUT A DAY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.  HE DEPARTED BULLHEAD CITY AIRPORT IN THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT AND PROCEEDED TO THE PRACTICE AREA ABOUT 5 MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. AFTER PRACTICING SOME MANEUVERS AND WHILE FLYING AT NORMAL CRUISE HE BEGAN A TURN.  WHILE IN THE TURN THE DEBRIS BEGAN TO COME OFF THE AIRPLANE AND IT BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE.  HE AIRPLANE BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO LAND IN A ROUGH/UNEVEN AREA, BUT NOT WITHOUT DAMAGING THE AIRPLANE.  EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER DISCLOSED THAT IT DISINTEGRATED WHILE IN FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4555J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4555J-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N CH20989CW0464, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURNETT, JERRY D. CHALLENGER II (CHALLENGER)
- Registry model: [Burnett Jerry D CHALLENGER II SPEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/burnett-jerry-d-challenger-ii-spec) (registry code 05676LT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH20989CW046
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: ROTAX 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: P.A. Garp
- Registered owner: P.A. Garp
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000, 50 hours before
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 181 total, 172 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910406008959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910406008959A), Apr 6, 1991: Amtrqc CHALLENGER2, Bullhead City, AZ, Destroyed. Propeller disintegrated during a practice cross control stall. Had recently purchased the homebuilt.

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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