Quad City CHALLENGER accident near Geneva, Alabama, September 1, 2021
On September 1, 2021 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 2021 Quad City CHALLENGER, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N1225G, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Geneva, Alabama (Geneva Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. 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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 1, 2021 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Geneva, Alabama · Geneva Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Quad City CHALLENGER II, built 2021, amateur-built
- Registration
- N1225G · no longer on the register · serial CH2-0697 1632
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he adjusted the engine carburation system on the airplane prior to the flight. While approaching to land, the pilot reduced power and the engine lost total power. The pilot made several attempts to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The airplane lost altitude and was substantially damaged when it impacted the roof of a shed. During a postaccident engine examination, no mechanical anomalies were discovered internally within the engine. The carburetors were removed, and a small cut was discovered on a fuel line along with dry rot on the rubber boot for the front carburetor manifold. The engine then was removed and placed on another airframe for a test run. The test run was completed successfully with no anomalies noted. Based on these findings, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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 (total) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 422 hours in all; 22 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 22 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, June 8, 2021; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 960 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 87 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; scat at 4,600 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from KEDN, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KEDN 012115Z AUTO 25004KT 10SM SCT046 SCT055 32/23 A2980 RMK AO2 T03200225
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on July 26, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Engine Examination Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N1225G the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.