David C Bock CHALLENGER II N929DB
7 April 1999 · Astatula, Florida, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 7 April 1999 at about 16:15 local time, a David C Bock CHALLENGER II registered N929DB was involved in an accident near Astatula, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Astatula, Florida, United States
- Coordinates
- 28.7101, -81.7304
- Aircraft
- David C Bock CHALLENGER II
- Registration
- N929DB
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Zellwood → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA99LA119
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
The aircraft structure fluttering inflight resulting in fracture of fuselage longerons and the pilot being unable to maintain control.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot was performing Phase I flight testing of the homebuilt aircraft and investigating the upper flight envelope. While descending through 4,000 feet msl at a speed of 115-118 mph, the aircraft began to flutter. He reduced engine power and raised the nose at which time he heard a loud 'pop' noise. The aircraft went out of control, rolling to an inverted position. The pilot activated the aircraft's ballistic recovery parachute and the aircraft and pilot landed in an orange grove. Postcrash examination showed 2 fuselage longerons had fractured. The manufacturer had determined the never exceed speed (Vne) for the aircraft to be 120 mph.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Mar 1999 | Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 | Zephyrhills, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 23 Oct 1999 | Piper PA-28-161 | Lake Wales, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Jun 1999 | Cessna 182P | Lantana, Florida, United States | Valerie E. Eikenberg | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 Oct 1999 | Robinson R-22-MARINER | West Boca Raton, Florida, United States | Volar Helicopters, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Oct 1999 | Beechcraft D35 | Indiantown, Florida, United States | Christopher M. Conlisk | Unknown | - |
| 19 Dec 1999 | Piper PA-24-400 | Naples, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |