Accident Summary
On October 8, 2010, at approximately 1330 central daylight time, a Challenger II light-sport airplane, registration N61328, impacted terrain following a loss of control near Easton, Kansas. The student-rated pilot sustained fatal injuries; the sole passenger received serious injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from a private airfield around 1300.
Passenger Account
A passer-by discovered the wreckage near a rural road after hearing the passenger's calls for help. In an interview with an FAA inspector, the passenger stated that they departed the pilot's property between 1300 and 1330 and were airborne for about 10 minutes. The pilot expressed concern about the wind and decided to return to the airfield. During the turn, the passenger felt a loss of altitude and suspected a downdraft. The pilot told him to "hang on" and activated the airplane's parachute. The passenger confirmed the engine was running but could not recall the impact sequence. He estimated the airplane was about 350 feet above ground level when the turn began.
Wreckage and Engine Examination
The responding FAA inspector noted that the airplane impacted tree tops before coming to rest at the base. The ballistic parachute was entangled in the tree tops. The fuel tank was about half full. A part of the tail section was found about 75 feet from the main wreckage. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the parachute had deployed but did not appear fully opened before impact. Control cables and rods were intact and connected. The engine rotated by hand and appeared normal. Visual inspection of drive belts, throttle cable, and carburetors showed no discrepancies.
Parachute and Component Examination
The right section of the stabilizer/elevator, located away from the wreckage, had no impact marks on its tube framing, and the fabric was in good condition. Two bolts holding that section were broken and removed for further examination. The Safety Board Materials Laboratory examined the bolts and noted that both exhibited "bending and a cupped fracture face, consistent with a bending overload event." The pilot's flight log and airplane maintenance records were not located during the investigation.