Amateur-built Challenger II N6138Z accident near Lettsworth, Louisiana

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 analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20LA131 for the full record.