# NTSB WPR14CA136: Norman Quad City Challenger, N345MN, Monroe, WA, March 13, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 12, 2014, 19:15 local (Mar 13, 2014, 02:15 UTC) - Place: Monroe, WA - Coordinates: 47.871112, -121.995002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8711&lon=-121.9950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federla Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88926 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88926/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88926 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA136 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate construction of the propeller bracket, which resulted in its failure during the initial climb and the propeller subsequently departing the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: fabrication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Norman Me CHALLENGER IISPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062025/cases.md?model=05904KT), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062025/cases.md) - [Propeller system: propeller assembly](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Norman Me CHALLENGER IISPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110/cases.md?model=05904KT), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Norman Me CHALLENGER IISPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05904KT), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Norman Me CHALLENGER IISPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=05904KT), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who was also the builder of the experimental pusher-configured airplane, stated that he made a normal departure from his base airport. As the airplane reached about 250 feet above ground level (agl) he transitioned from the best-angle of climb configuration to the best-rate of climb configuration. The airplane emitted a loud "bang" behind the pilot and the engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power. He established a shallow turn back toward the airport and landed in a field just south and adjacent to the runway. The airplane touched down in soft, wet grass and the right main landing gear collapsed. The fuselage was substantially damaged. After egressing the airplane, the pilot noted that the propeller had separated from the airplane. Upon closer examination, he discovered that the metal bracket he had constructed to support the propeller as part of the speed reduction system had fractured. He estimated that the bracket had amassed about 10 hours of flight time on it. ## Factual narrative The pilot, who was also the builder of the experimental pusher-configured airplane, stated that he made a normal departure from his base airport. As the airplane reached about 250 feet above ground level (agl) he transitioned from the best-angle of climb configuration to the best-rate of climb configuration. The airplane emitted a loud "bang" behind the pilot and the engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power. He established a shallow turn back toward the airport and landed in a field just south and adjacent to the runway. The airplane touched down in soft, wet grass and the right main landing gear collapsed. The fuselage was substantially damaged. After egressing the airplane, the pilot noted that the propeller had separated from the airplane. Upon closer examination, he discovered that the metal bracket he had constructed to support the propeller as part of the speed reduction system had fractured. He estimated that the bracket had amassed about 10 hours of flight time on it. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N345MN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N345MN), registered now, S/N CH2 1191 CWIDIOT-2, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORMAN QUAD CITY CHALLENGER (II) - Registry model: [Norman Me CHALLENGER IISPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/norman-me-challenger-iispecial) (registry code 05904KT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CH2 1191 CWIDIO - Year built: 2000 - Engines: ROTAX 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 9, 2013 - Departed: W16, Monroe, WA - Destination: W16, Monroe, WA - Airport: W16, Firstair Field, runway 25, 2,087 × 34 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 167 total, 33 in this make and model, 74 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg ## 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 20140312001669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140312001669A), Mar 12, 2014: Norman Me CHALLENGER IISPECIAL, Monroe, WA, Substantial damage. After liftoff from runway 25 at W16 the pilot heard a clunk and his engine stopped forcing him to land in a field just south of the runway. After exiting the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88926. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412499&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.