# NTSB MIA99LA213: William Jay Kinney Challenger II, N14131, Pahokee, FL, August 3, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1999, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Pahokee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.809324, -80.660179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8093&lon=-80.6602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47031
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47031/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA213

## Probable cause

failure of the engine to propeller drive belt for undetermined reasons, resulting in loss of engine power, and a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - propeller system/drive assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - terrain condition - swampy

## Analysis

The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff from runway 35 at Palm Beach County Glades Airport, at about 500 feet, on a southerly heading, the engine to propeller drive belt broke and the engine stopped. The pilot further stated that he then executed a forced landing on Kreamer Island, in Lake Okeechobee, and the aircraft was substantially damaged in the process. FAA inspectors conducted a postcrash examination of the airplane and noted that the engine to propeller drive belt was missing. The belt was not recovered.

## Factual narrative

On August 3, 1999, about 0930 eastern daylight time, a William J. Kinney/Challenger II, N14131, registered to, and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on Kreamer Island in Lake Okeechobee, shortly after takeoff from Palm Beach County Glades Airport, Pahokee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private-rated pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he had just taken off from runway 35, made a left crosswind turn and was at about 500 feet on a southerly heading, when the engine to propeller drive belt broke.  He executed a forced landing on Kreamer Island.  The aircraft received substantial damage to the undercarriage, wings and wing struts.

FAA inspectors conducted a postcrash examination of the airplane and noted that the engine to propeller drive belt was missing. The inspectors stated that it appeared that the missing belt was the reason the engine stopped in flight. The belt was not recovered, and the cause of the failure could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N14131 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WILLIAM JAY KINNEY CHALLENGER II (CHALLENGER)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH20995CW138
- Airframe hours: 83
- Engines: Rotax 503 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William J. Kinney
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 27, 1998, 31 hours before
- Departed: PHK, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 181 total, 84 in this make and model, 129 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI

## 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 19990803026159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990803026159A), Aug 3, 1999: Amtr CHALLENGERII, Pahokee, FL, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 3, 1999, about 0930 eastern daylight time, a william j. kinney/challenger ii, N14131, registered to, and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR part…

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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