# NTSB MIA96LA201: Hernandez Challenger Special II, N113JM, Toa Baja, PR, August 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 1996, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Toa Baja, PR - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38065 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38065/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA201 ## Probable cause water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: the lack of a quick draining feature in the fuel system, the pilot's failure (or inability) to detect water contamination in the fuel system during preflight inspection, and high obstruction(s) in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - fuel system,drain - not installed (contributing factor) - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, manufacturer (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that before takeoff, he performed a preflight inspection of the home built airplane and made an engine run-up, but no discrepancies were noted. After takeoff, about 200 feet above ground level, the engine rpm dropped (uncommanded) from 6,300 to 2,000, and the pilot was unable to restore power. He initiated an emergency descent for a forced landing. As the pilot was maneuvering to avoid an obstruction, the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. An investigation revealed that the airplane's fuel tank had no provision for quick draining of fuel during a preflight inspection to check for contaminants. A sample of fuel was taken by disconnecting the fuel line to the carburetor, and water contamination was found. Also, water was found in the carburetor. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 1996, about 1040 Atlantic standard time, a privately owned homebuilt Challenger II Special, N113JM, crashed during an attempted forced landing after takeoff from a private grass strip near Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight of the airplane before takeoff and observed no water in the fuel system. He also performed an engine run-up before takeoff with no discrepancies noted. After takeoff about 200 feet above ground level, the engine rpm dropped uncommanded from 6,300 to 2,000 and he was unable to maintain altitude. He initiated a descent for a forced landing and with obstructions ahead, he maneuvered to avoid the obstructions. The airplane then stalled and impacted the ground. His injuries consisted only of a fractured T12 vertebra. Examination of the airplane by an FAA Airworthiness Inspector revealed water contamination in the fuel filter located in the engine compartment area, in a fuel line to the carburetor, and in the carburetor bowls. Also discovered was a separation of the front seat throttle control swivel from the throttle control arm. The airplane fuel tank does not have a drain installed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N113JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N113JM-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N CH-1292 CW 0923 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HERNANDEZ CHALLENGER SPECIAL II - Registry model: [Hernandez Jose A M SPECIAL II](https://openairdocs.org/model/hernandez-jose-a-m-special-ii) (registry code 05623PX) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CH-1292 CW09 - Airframe hours: 95 - Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rafael R. Mena - Registered owner: Jose A. Martinez - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1995, 30 hours before - Airport: Private Strip, runway 4, 900 × 40 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 191 total, 80 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SJU ## 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 19960803020649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960803020649A), Aug 3, 1996: Amtrhm SPECIALS2C, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Partial power loss on climbout. Stalled avoiding obstacles. Water in fuel and throttle disconnect. No fuel drains. 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.