# NTSB MIA06CA129: Tharp S Richard Challenger II, N128RT, Apopka, FL, February 11, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 11, 2006, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Apopka, FL
- Coordinates: 28.733333, -81.983329
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7333&lon=-81.9833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA129

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate selection of a landing area which resulted in one of the seaplane's floats impacting a submerged stump.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - submerged object
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during the water landing the left pontoon struck a tree stump which was submerged in the lake, and the pontoon was punctured, which caused the right wing support to fail.  The pilot said that prior to the accident there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the aircraft or any of its systems.

## Factual narrative

On August 11, 2006, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Richard S. Tharp Challenger II aircraft, N128RT, registered to, and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, incurred damage during landing at Lake Apopka, Apopka, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The private-rated pilot was not injured, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Orlando North Airport, Zellwood, Florida, the same day, about 0930.

The pilot stated he departed Orlando North Airport and preceded south.  According to the pilot, he intended to make a full stop water landing at Lake Apopka, approximately 3 miles south of the departure airport.  He stated that during his water landing the left pontoon struck a tree stump which was submerged in the lake, and the pontoon was punctured, which caused the right wing support to fail.  The pilot said that prior to the accident there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the aircraft or any of its systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N128RT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N128RT), registered now, S/N CH2-0802-2250, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Tharp S Richard Challenger II
- Registry model: [Tharp S Richard CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/tharp-s-richard-challenger-ii) (registry code 05615ND) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH20802
- Airframe hours: 36
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen J Bacon
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006, 14 hours before
- Departed: FA83, Zellwood, FL
- Destination: FA83

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review May 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 137 total, 14 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 20 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.

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