# NTSB MIA04LA068: Quad City Challenger II, Labelle, FL, March 6, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 2004, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Labelle, FL - Coordinates: 26.744167, -81.432502 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7442&lon=-81.4325&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Lauderdale - NTSB case key (mKey): 59070 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59070/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04LA068 ## Probable cause The pilot in command's abrupt pull up, which resulted in an overload of the right wing, right wing separation, an uncontrolled descent, and impact with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command - descent - intentional, pilot in command - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - pull-up - abrupt, pilot in command - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - wing - overload - wing - separation - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis A witness stated that he was flying his ultralight aircraft in close proximity to the accident aircraft and he observed the accident aircraft enter about a 45-degree dive from an altitude of about 500 feet. He further stated that he was behind the accident aircraft and he observed it as it dove toward the ground. From his position, he said he saw the attitude of the aircraft change abruptly, as if to recover from the dive at an altitude of about 50 feet above the ground. As the nose pitched up, the witness stated that he saw the right wing separate, and the aircraft then impacted the ground. He also said that he had observed the accident aircraft during one other such dive and recovery maneuver immediately preceding the maneuver during which the accident occurred. Postcrash examination of the right wing spar attach bracket by an aircraft builder/ultralight mechanic, who observed the accident, revealed that the bracket had separated consistent with overstress. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2004, about 0915 eastern standard time, an unregistered Quad City Aircraft Corp., Challenger II aircraft, operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed in Labelle, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and one passenger received fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed. The flight originated in Labelle, Florida, the same day, about 0900. A witness stated that he was flying his ultralight aircraft in close proximity to the accident aircraft and he observed the accident aircraft enter about a 45-degree dive from an altitude of about 500 feet. He further stated that he was behind the accident aircraft and he observed it as it dove toward the ground. From his position, he said he saw the attitude of the aircraft change abruptly, as if to recover from the dive at an altitude of about 50 feet above the ground. As the nose pitched up, the witness stated that he saw the right wing separate, and the aircraft then impacted the ground. He also said that he had observed the accident aircraft during one other such dive and recovery maneuver, immediately preceding the maneuver during which the accident occurred. Postcrash examination of the right wing spar attach bracket by an aircraft builder/ultralight mechanic, who observed the accident, revealed that the bracket had separated consistent with overstress. Records did not indicate the existence of an exemption to operate the aircraft as an ultralight. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Quad City Aircraft Corp Challenger II - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Engines: Rotax 42 hp reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard Hayes - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Labelle, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: fatal; medical: unknown, unknown; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: FMY, 23 nm away 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.