Holtz Rodney R CHALLENGER II N1666R

Summary

On 20 November 2024 at about 15:53 local time, a Holtz Rodney R CHALLENGER II registered N1666R was involved in an accident near Concord, New Hampshire, 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.

Date

20 November 2024 at 15:53

Classification

Accident

Location

Concord, New Hampshire, United States

Nearest airport

Concord Muni (CON)

Coordinates

43.2027, -71.5023

Aircraft

Holtz Rodney R CHALLENGER II

Registration

N1666R

Category

Airplane

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA25LA063

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and eventual stall/mush of the airplane while trying to secure an open door in flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner of the recently purchased experimental amateur-built airplane submitted a report to the NTSB immediately after the accident. He explained that as he maneuvered the airplane in a left crosswind turn, the gullwing-styled cabin door opened, “creating significant noise and buffeting that affected aircraft stability and directional control.” The pilot said he attempted to secure the door and stabilize the airplane, but that it continued in a left descending turn that he could not arrest, and that he ultimately reduced power and completed a “mushing stall to ground contact” that resulted in no injury to himself but substantial damage to the airframe. A conversation with the airplane kit manufacturer revealed that the airplane was controllable with a door open in flight. He said the airplane required vigilance and proper use of the rudder to maintain coordinated flight and added that those transitioning from production airplanes benefitted from “differences training” because of the design and function of the pedals. An FAA inspector inspected the doors on the airplane and found that they closed and locked securely, and he confirmed flight control continuity. In conversation with the pilot after the inspection, the pilot volunteered that there was nothing wrong with the flight controls of the airplane and that he “may have overcontrolled the aircraft while trying to close the door” which resulted in the hard landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.