Quad City CHALLENGER N990SS

Summary

On 2 August 2020 at about 23:55 local time, a Quad City CHALLENGER registered N990SS was involved in an accident near Jonesboro, Louisiana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 August 2020 at 23:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Jonesboro, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Jonesboro (F88)

Coordinates

32.2133, -92.7297

Aircraft

Quad City CHALLENGER

Registration

N990SS

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jonesboro → Jonesboro

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20LA322

2 people were seriously injured.

Loss of engine power due to the use of improper fuel in the airplane by the non-certificated pilot.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot reported that there was a “loud pop” and immediate loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. He was unable to return to the airstrip and executed a forced landing to a wooded area. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The airplane was fueled before the flight; however, the fuel had been stored in the pilot’s hangar and was between 10 and 12 months old. A postrecovery engine examination did not identify any anomalies associated with the engine assembly. Fuel remaining in the carburetor bowls exhibited a dark yellow color consistent with stale automotive gasoline. The pilot’s lack of training and experience with respect to airplane operations likely contributed to his decision to use old, automotive fuel in the airplane. It is likely that the engine lost power due to the old fuel in the fuel system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.