Amateur-built CHALLENGER accident near Kankakee, Illinois, August 3, 2009
On August 3, 2009, a amateur-built CHALLENGER, registered N4526G, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Kankakee, Illinois (Greater Kankakee Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the telephone line and his poor judgment to fly while under the influence of alcohol. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to the alcohol consumption.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 2009
- Place
- Kankakee, Illinois · Greater Kankakee Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CHALLENGER
- Registration
- N4526G · no longer on the register · serial CH2-1206-LSS-0111
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft was observed flying low along a river about 30 to 40 feet above the water, when it impacted a telephone line that went across the river. First responders reported that the pilot had the smell of alcohol on his breath. The pilot had his blood drawn more than 3½ hours after the accident, and the laboratory results indicated 0.127 g/dL of ethanol. Examination and photographs of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. FAA regulation 91.17 Alcohol or drugs, in part, stated, "(a)No person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft - (1) Within 8 hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage; (2) While under the influence of alcohol; … or (4) While having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater in a blood or breath specimen."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during prior to flight
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Alcohol › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › (general) › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 194 hours in all; 85 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 21, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 70.6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 28, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 DCDI (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IKK Kankakee IL
- Destination: IKK Kankakee IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 11:43 pm from IKK, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.