# NTSB LAX98LA192: Arner Challenger II S, N2NX, Pleasant Valley, AZ, June 7, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 1998, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Pleasant Valley, AZ - Coordinates: 33.68053, -112.090606 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6805&lon=-112.0906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30115 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30115/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA192 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to a loose spark plug wire cap caused by a broken spark plug retainer spring. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - ignition system,ignition lead - loose (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy ## Analysis The pilot reported that during cruise he noted a loss of rpm's and attempted to make an emergency landing in a dry sandy riverbed. After touchdown the landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft sank into the sand. The pilot inspected the engine and observed the following: a broken spark plug retainer spring and a loose spark plug wire cap. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 1998, at 1230 hours mountain standard time, an Arner Challenger II S, N2NX, an experimental aircraft, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise and collapsed the landing gear after making an emergency landing in a dry wash near Pleasant Valley, Arizona. The aircraft, operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot/owner and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Pleasant Valley airport at 1215. The pilot reported that they had departed the Pleasant Valley airport approximately 15 minutes before the loss of power was experienced. Approximately 6 miles south of the airport, the pilot noted a loss of rpm's and could not maintain level fight. He stated that he chose a dry wash area to make the emergency landing. After touchdown the aircraft sank into the sand and came to an abrupt stop. The pilot conducted an engine inspection on-scene. He observed a broken spark plug retainer spring and the detachment of the spark plug wire cap associated with it. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2NX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2NX-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N CH20391CW0660, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Arner CHALLENGER II S (CHALLENGER) - Registry model: [Arner Aubrey CHALLENGER II SPEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/arner-aubrey-challenger-ii-spec) (registry code 05676TD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CH20391CW066 - Airframe hours: 200 - Engines: Hirth 2703 55 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry E. Long - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1997, 5 hours before - Departed: PVA, AZ - Destination: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 85 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 39 °F ## 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 19980607013229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980607013229A), Jun 7, 1998: Amtr CHALLENGER2, Pleasant Valley, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19) Lost powerl. Landed dry river bed on soft sand. Plug wire came off. Hydrostatic lock up stopped 2 cyl. Engine. On June 7, 1998, at 1230 hours mountain… ## Other investigations on N2NX (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW02LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA150), May 12, 2002: Aubrey Challenger II (N2NX), Lubbock, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced 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.