Accident Summary
On August 4, 2011, at 1115 central daylight time, a Challenger II kit-built airplane, registration N340BR, impacted terrain near Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The two occupants sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Reedsburg Municipal Airport (C35) at 1025.
Witness Observations
Several witnesses reported to responding FAA inspectors that the airplane reached an altitude of about 100 to 300 feet before the left wing dropped and the airplane entered a spin, impacting the ground nearly vertically. Witnesses also noted that the airplane's ballistic parachute system was activated but insufficient altitude remained for full deployment.
Wreckage Examination
The airplane came to rest next to a building in an industrial area adjacent to the airport, remaining in a vertical position with the bottom of the fuselage against the building. The front cabin and fuselage area were crushed aft into the cockpit, and both wings and the remaining fuselage sustained substantial damage. Inspectors observed fuel present in the fuel tank.
After site documentation, the wreckage was recovered for a follow-up examination at a local hangar. The three-bladed propeller remained intact with small nicks on the leading edges. The parachute system's cord was partially wrapped around the propeller. The airplane's fabric was torn by impact but otherwise appeared in good condition. Control continuity was established to the flight controls. The engine's electric starter would not rotate the motor, but it appeared the starter had sustained impact damage.
Engine Examination
The engine was separated from the airframe and shipped to a test facility. At the facility, the engine was placed on a test stand. An adjustment was made to one carburetor's slide mechanism to correct impact damage. Both ignition systems were operational, and the engine rotated via the electric starter. The engine started and produced power without hesitation or problems. The examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical anomalies.
GPS Data
A handheld GPS unit was located in the wreckage and downloaded. The data contained tracklogs from September 19, 2009, to August 4, 2011. For August 4, 2011, tracklog data was stored in Session 35, beginning at 1019:34 CST with a position fix corresponding to Reedsburg's airport (C35). The airplane's track showed it departing on runway 18, circling westward for about 45 minutes, then returning to C35. It descended approaching from the southwest, aligning with runway 7 at an altitude corresponding to the runway. The airplane then climbed to 1,027 feet msl and began a left turn. The final GPS position at 11:15:00 showed groundspeed of 47 mph at an altitude of 1,035 feet msl (approximately 130 feet above ground level).
Weather
The automated weather station located 9 miles east of C35 reported at 1115: wind from 220 degrees at 6 knots, temperature 82°F, dew point 62°F, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 3,200 and 4,200 feet, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inHg.