Amateur-built CHALLENGER N7058U accident near Marion, Wisconsin

Probable cause

The failure of the airplane engine drive belt during the takeoff, resulting in a forced landing and impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot of the Experimental Amateur Built airplane departed from a private airstrip. During the takeoff initial climb, the airplane lost engine power and force landed in a field. The FAA Inspector reported that the airplane was equipped with an older cog engine drive belt that failed during takeoff. The airplane impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

The National Transportation Safety Board Air Safety Investigator-in charge attempted on multiple occasions to contact the pilot and the pilot's son, to whom the airplane was registered. The FAA Inspector was unable to contact the pilot, but he was able to speak with the pilot's son who was informed by the inspector to call the NTSB Investigator-in-charge; to no avail.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA322 for the full record.