N20EJ

On August 15, 2003, at 1800 central daylight time a Holmes Challenger II, experimental homebuilt single-engine airplane, N20EJ, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb from a private airstrip on the Crawley Ranch, near Eldorado, Texas. The airplane was co-owned by the pilot and ranch owner, and operated by the pilot under Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident.

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the applied full power during takeoff roll, and the airplane rotated approximately midfield on the 2,00-foot dirt airstrip. Subsequently, throttle cable knob separated from the control, and the airplane settled back to the runway. The pilot applied brakes and tried unsuccessfully to reduce the power. The airplane impacted a tree and a barbed-wire fence beyond the departure end of the runway before coming to rest upright.

The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, examined the tandem seat airplane. The outboard 2 feet of the left wing and spar were found bent upward. Structural damage was found at the fuselage, and the right wing strut. The throttle cable that runs from the front cockpit throttle control to the aft cockpit throttle control was found separated at the front cockpit attachment bolt. The aft throttle cable, which attaches to the engine, was found intact from the aft cockpit throttle control to the engine. Following a visual inspection of the engine, an engine run was conducted utilizing the aft cockpit throttle control knob. No discrepancies were found for the engine.

According to the maintenance data provided to the NTSB, the last inspection was performed on March 31, 1998, and the airplane had accumulated 100 hours since that inspection.