Summary
On August 27, 1994, a Frith CHALLENGER II (N7051P) was involved in an accident near Fairfield, IA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The total failure and separation of the propeller system drive belt. Obstacles (powerlines and pole) were a factor in the accident.
On August 26, 1994, about 1920 central daylight time, a Frith Challenger II, N7051P, piloted by the owner/builder, experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff from a private airstrip in Fairfield, Iowa. The homebuilt airplane sustained substantial damage when it struck a pole and powerlines during the ensuing forced landing. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the one passenger on board the airplane reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the private grass strip approximately 1918 with an intended destination of the Fairfield Municipal Airport, in Fairfield, Iowa.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CHI94LA302. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7051P.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the total failure and separation of the propeller system drive belt. Obstacles (powerlines and pole) were a factor in the accident.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 26, 1994, about 1920 central daylight time, a Frith Challenger II, N7051P, piloted by the owner/builder, experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff from a private airstrip in Fairfield, Iowa. The homebuilt airplane sustained substantial damage when it struck a pole and powerlines during the ensuing forced landing. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the one passenger on board the airplane reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the private grass strip approximately 1918 with an intended destination of the Fairfield Municipal Airport, in Fairfield, Iowa.
The pilot stated the airplane was climbing through about 300 feet above ground level (AGL) after takeoff when "...the drive belt from the engine to the propeller broke... ." The pilot attempted to return to the private airstrip for a forced landing, but the airplane struck a pole and powerlines, and impacted the ground short of the runway.
Postaccident investigation revealed the drive belt had separated. The drive belt was not located during the investigation. The airplane was originally certificated in February, 1989, and had 185 hours total flight time. The pilot submitted a brief written statement to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.) Despite numerous attempts to obtain a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 from the pilot, this office did not receive the completed Form.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI94LA302