# NTSB MIA02LA164: Clarence F. Callahan Challenger II, N521CF, Plymouth, FL, September 1, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 2002, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, FL
- Coordinates: 28.7, -81.566665
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7000&lon=-81.5667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 23, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA164

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper alignment which resulted in the airplane impacting trees on the south side of the approach end of the landing runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was on final approach to land, and it appeared as if he was going to undershoot the runway, so he attempted to correct by applying throttle control input to increase engine power, but he applied a little too much power causing the airplane to dive to the right and collide with trees on the south side of the approach end of the landing runway.

## Factual narrative

On September 1, 2002, about 0945 eastern daylight time, a Clarence F. Callahan Challenger II, N521CF, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, impacted trees and crashed while attempting to land at Orlando Country Airport, Plymouth, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated the same day, about 0935.

The pilot stated that he was on final approach to land, and it appeared as if he was going to undershoot the runway, so he attempted to correct the situation by applying throttle control input to increase engine power, but he applied a little too much power, which caused the airplane to dive to the right and collide with trees on the south end of the runway. The airplane incurred damage to the landing gear, the wings, and the fuselage. The pilot said that this accident was purely his error, and that there had been no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N521CF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N521CF), registered now, S/N CH2-0490-0521, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Clarence F. Callahan Challenger II
- Registry model: [Callahan Clarence F CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/callahan-clarence-f-challenger-ii) (registry code 05676TJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH2-0490-0521
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James N. Duke
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 2002, 25 hours before
- Departed: X04, Plymouth, FL
- Airport: X04, Orlando Country, runway 33, 3,040 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 242 total, 2 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 18 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 20020901026509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020901026509A), Sep 1, 2002: Amtr CHALLENGER2, Plymouth, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that his final approach to runway 33 was low. The pilot applied power and the aircraft rolled to the right then nosed downward and…

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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