Amateur-built CHALLENGER II accident near Neshkoro, Wisconsin, March 12, 2016
On March 12, 2016 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 2009 amateur-built CHALLENGER II, registered N710WB, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Neshkoro, Wisconsin (Grass Airstrip 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
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, as postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot's decision to maneuver at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 12, 2016 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Neshkoro, Wisconsin · Grass Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CHALLENGER II, built 2009
- Registration
- N710WB · no longer on the register · serial CH2-0701-2112
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot reported that he conducted a low approach over the turf runway at 50 ft above ground level with the engine power at idle. About halfway down the runway, he applied full power, but the engine did not respond. He entered a shallow left turn and slowed the airplane to stall speed before impacting trees. While the condition of the propeller was consistent with the engine having no power at the time of impact, postaccident examination of the airframe and a test run of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and a reason for the loss of power could not be determined. The pilot was not certificated, and he did not hold a medical certificate. The pilot's flight time was unknown. The pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude and low airspeed precluded him from selecting a suitable forced landing site following the loss of engine power.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 0 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 960 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: None Neshkoro WI at 7:15 pm
- Destination: None Neshkoro WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 1,300 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 pm from Y50, 6 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.