Title: MES CHALLENGER II, EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT SINGLE-ENGINE AIRPLANE,
Report Date: 08/22
Plane Crash Problem: On August 15, 2003, at 1800 central daylight time a Holmes Challenger II, experimental homebuilt single-engine airplane, N20EJ, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb from a private airstrip on the Crawley Ranch, near Eldorado, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported that the throttle cable knob separated at approximately 5 feet agl during the takeoff/initial climb. Subsequently, the airplane veered to the left and struck a tree and a fence before coming to rest upright.
The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, examined the tandem seat airplane. The throttle cable knob was found separated from the throttle cable at the attachment screw. The outboard 2 feet of the left wing and spar were found bent upward. Structural damage was found at the fuselage, and the right wing strut.
The aft throttle cable knob was found attached. Following a visually inspection of the engine, an engine run was conducted utilizing the aft cockpit throttle control knob. No discrepancies were found for the engine.
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