Amateur-built Challenger II accident near Corning, Arkansas, April 20, 2008
On April 20, 2008 at about 11:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Challenger II, registered N213TW, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Corning, Arkansas. 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 transmission lines. A contributing factor was the low altitude selected by the pilot.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 20, 2008 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Corning, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Challenger II
- Registration
- N213TW · registry record · serial CH2-1001-2142
- 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 was manuvering his aircraft at low-level, when the aircraft collided with power lines leading to a residential home. Photographs taken at the site show an upside down aircraft, with a section of a power line among the wreckage. The pilot was airlifted to a hospital, however, he could not recall any details about the accident sequence.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4M9 Corning AR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from KARG
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.