Pilot Debrief

MARKS STEVEN CHALLENGER near Marion, WI — 2016-06-18

Final reportGAA16CA322
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Date
2016-06-18
Location
Marion, WI, USA
Aircraft
MARKS STEVEN CHALLENGER
Registration
N7058U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The failure of the airplane engine drive belt during the takeoff, resulting in a forced landing and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot of the Experimental Amateur Built airplane departed from a private airstrip. During the takeoff initial climb, the airplane lost engine power and force landed in a field. The FAA Inspector reported that the airplane was equipped with an older cog engine drive belt that failed during takeoff. The airplane impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The National Transportation Safety Board Air Safety Investigator-in charge attempted on multiple occasions to contact the pilot and the pilot's son, to whom the airplane was registered. The FAA Inspector was unable to contact the pilot, but he was able to speak with the pilot's son who was informed by the inspector to call the NTSB Investigator-in-charge; to no avail.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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