Amateur-built Challenger II accident near Lubbock, Texas, May 12, 2002
On May 12, 2002 at about 9:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Challenger II, registered N2NX, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lubbock, Texas (Town & Country Airpark 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 12, 2002 · about 9:30 pm local time · cases in 2002
- Place
- Lubbock, Texas · Town & Country Airpark · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Challenger II
- Registration
- N2NX · no longer on the register · serial CH20391cw0660
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was in his initial climb after takeoff at 200-300 feet AGL when the engine lost power. He turned right to clear some power lines and tried to glide to a parking lot. Subsequently, the aircraft contacted a berm of soft dirt. 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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 95 hours in all; 12 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 16, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 28, 2002
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Hirth 2703 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F82 Lubbock TX at 9:29 pm
- Destination: F82 Lubbock TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.29 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Other NTSB records under N2NX the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N2NX: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Engine: Hirth 2703 9 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Lubbock Executive Airpark · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Texas 6,244 since 1982 · 1,065 in the last ten years
- Texas 29,945 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N2NX 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/FTW02LA150.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.