Amateur-built Challenger II Specia accident near Arecibo, Puerto Rico, March 18, 2007
On March 18, 2007 at about 3:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Challenger II Specia, registered N7023D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Arecibo, Puerto Rico (Antonio Juarbe Pol 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 uncertificated pilot's failure to remove the aft seat belt from around the aft control stick prior to flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 18, 2007 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Arecibo, Puerto Rico · Antonio Juarbe Pol Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Challenger II Specia
- Registration
- N7023D · no longer on the register · serial CH20892CW0805
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff roll with the aft seat control stick secured by the aft seat lapbelt, the non-certificated pilot experienced a loss of control and crashed onto the runway. The accident site was located approximately 150 feet down the runway, and slightly right of the runway centerline. The pilot was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. The pilot died in the hospital on May 7, 2007. The pilot advised law enforcement personnel that he forgot to remove the lapbelt which was used as a control lock at the rear seat control stick. Examination of the airframe and engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed no evidence or preimpact mechanical failure. The aircraft was registered with the FAA. The pilot did not hold an FAA pilot certificate.
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
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TJAB Arecibo PR at 4:00 pm
- Destination: TJAB Arecibo PR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 8, 3,975 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 2:50 pm from TJMZ, 29 miles away
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.
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.