Pilot Debrief

BOWER Challenger II near Lettsworth, LA — 2020-03-22

Final reportCEN20LA131
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Date
2020-03-22
Location
Lettsworth, LA, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
BOWER Challenger II
Registration
N6138Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The owner/pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane due to his lack of training and experience, resulting in a collision with a tree.

NTSB narrative

The airplane owner had no flight training or flight experience before the accident flight. He reported that he had planned only to taxi the airplane but that a wind gust caused the airplane to become airborne. He attempted to land several times but was unable to because of the turbulence. During a go-around, he thought the airplane had cleared trees near the flight path, but it was momentarily overcome by turbulence and struck a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage and serious injury to the pilot. The owner reported there were no issues with the airplane’s performance. It is likely the owner/pilot, at least in part, overcontrolled the airplane due to his lack of flight training and experience.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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