# NTSB SEA96LA091: Limes Challenger II, N52898, Redmond, OR, May 10, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1996, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Redmond, OR
- Coordinates: 44.259063, -121.220687 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2591&lon=-121.2207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA091

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude on final approach, and his failure to maintain proper clearance from an object (fence) in his approach path.  The fence was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

While on short final to a 500 foot long, grass field, the homebuilt aircraft clipped the top wire of a fence and then collided with terrain. The pilot reported that the aircraft could be landed in 150 feet of ground roll.

## Factual narrative

On May 10, 1996, approximately 1200 hours Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt Limes Challenger II, N52898, being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft impacted a fence  and collided with terrain while landing in a field near Redmond, Oregon. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the Cline Falls Air Park airport,  Cline Falls, Oregon, approximately 1145.

The pilot reported that the aircraft required 150 feet for landing roll and that he was executing an approach to an open field approximately 500 feet in length. He further reported that on short final he "felt the wind push (me) down , immediately (I) corrected with full power and nose up control but there was not time to recover." One of the aircraft's main wheels impacted the top wire of a fence and the aircraft pitched down and impacted the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52898](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52898-1999-02-19), registration cancelled 1999-02-19, S/N CH2-0393-0961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Limes CHALLENGER II (CHALLENGER)
- Registry model: [Limes Edward CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/limes-edward-challenger-ii) (registry code 05625Y7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH2-03930961
- Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Begley, Daniel, E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 3OR8, CLINE FALLS, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total, 30 in this make and model, 415 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 5 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 19960510010219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960510010219A), May 10, 1996: Amtrqc CHALLENGER2, Redmond, OR, Substantial damage. Wheels hit a fence landing in short strip. Blamed downdraft. Wind light.

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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