N284DS

Substantial
None

DONALD G STOKES CHALLENGER IIS/N: CH2-0911-LSS-L65-019

Accident Details

Date
Friday, March 21, 2014
NTSB Number
CEN14CA170
Location
Crockett, TX
Event ID
20140324X73412
Coordinates
31.309268, -95.449516
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, resulting in a hard landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N284DS
Make
DONALD G STOKES
Serial Number
CH2-0911-LSS-L65-019
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2013
Model / ICAO
CHALLENGER IINM5
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
STOKES DONALD G
Address
1109 MEADOWVIEW ST
Status
Deregistered
City
CROCKETT
State / Zip Code
TX 75835-6905
Country
United States

Analysis

In his accident report, the pilot said that as he made his approach, "a gust of wind pushed [the airplane] near the trees [lying] next to the [air]strip, where the [air]plane['s] right wing caught a brush pile which caused the [air]plane to have a hard landing." In his statement to the Texas Department of Public Safety, however, the pilot said the airplane contacted the top strand of a wire, "causing the {air]plane to pull to the right and strike some piled up fence row clippings with right wing and [air]plane hit the ground collapsing left landing gear." Both wings were punctured by tree branches and the lift struts and braces were buckled. The nose and left main landing gears had collapsed, buckling the fuselage. There was also a fabric tear on the vertical stabilizer. No pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported by the pilot.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN14CA170