UNREG

Substantial
None

Quad City Ultralight Aircraft Challenger IS/N: 0200-CHI-0739

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, March 16, 2008
NTSB Number
NYC08CA146
Location
Rayle, GA
Event ID
20080421X00525
Coordinates
33.789722, -82.900276
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

A loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.

Aircraft Information

Registration
UNREG
Make
QUAD CITY ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT
Serial Number
0200-CHI-0739
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
Challenger IAC4
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Analysis

The non-certificated pilot reported flying the unregistered amateur built Quad City Challenger I at 1,300 feet msl, when the engine "stopped cold." During the forced landing, the airplane struck a power line, and sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot inspected the contents of the fuel tank, and found no contamination. He removed the fuel bowls from the engine's dual carburetors and found them to be full of fuel. He was able to rotate the engine by hand and believed the engine stoppage was caused by an ignition failure. The Challenger I was an ultralight-type aircraft equipped with a Rotax 503 engine. The Rotax 503 Operators Manual stated, "This engine, by its design, is subject to sudden stoppage. Engine stoppage can result in crash landings, forced landings or no power landings. . . . This is not a certified engine. It has not received any safety or durability testing, and conforms to no aircraft standards."

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC08CA146