Monday the 10th of November, 2025

NTSB Final Report: Arlie L Raber III Challenger 1

Pilot Was Having Difficulty Controlling The Airplane’S Rudder Pedals Due To His Physical Stature

Aviation Investigation Final Report
Location: Crestview, Florida Accident Number: ERA25LA197
Date & Time: May 4, 2025, 14:20 Local Registration: N59BR
Aircraft: Arlie L Raber III Challenger 1 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot was having difficulty controlling the airplane’s rudder pedals due to his physical stature. After several taxi attempts up and down the runway, he elected to take off for a short flight. After becoming airborne, the pilot began to have yaw controllability problems. He attempted to land, but was unable to control the airplane’s movements effectively, as his knees were contacting the instrument panel, and his feet were wedged behind the rudder pedals. The airplane continued to fly over terrain about 6 feet above ground level. With trees approaching, the pilot pushed the nose of the airplane down resulting in a hard landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward portion of the fuselage and the left wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s decision to take off despite having problems controlling the airplane due to his physical stature.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Final Report: Piper PA-44-180

While On The Base Leg Of The Airport Traffic Pattern The Right Main Landing Gear Did Not Fully Extend

Location: Pompano Beach, Florida Accident Number: ERA25LA096
Date & Time: January 10, 2025, 11:15 Local Registration: N555HF
Aircraft: Piper PA-44-180 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test

Analysis: Both pilots reported that after performing airwork they returned to the departure airport where multiple uneventful full stop landings were performed. They then departed and while on the base leg of the airport traffic pattern the right main landing gear did not fully extend. At that point the designated pilot examiner (DPE) took the controls from the pilot applicant, and during the course of 90 minutes, made multiple attempts to fully lower the right main landing gear that were ultimately unsuccessful. The DPE then elected to land with the landing gear retracted rather than with two landing gear down and one retracted. After touchdown the airplane came to rest near the runway centerline. The underside of the fuselage was substantially damaged during the landing.

After raising the airplane from the runway, the right main landing gear was manually pulled out of the wheel well and during that process it was discovered that the hardware that secured the upper and lower torque links were not in position and could not be located. Since the hardware could not be found, no determination could be made as to the reason for the separation of the hardware. A review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that the hardware securing the right main landing gear torque links was replaced last on about 11 months before the accident. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued about 324 flight hours since the hardware replacement. The mechanic who performed the last 100-Hour inspection, about 6 months and 46 hours before the accident, reported that he did not notice any abnormality or defects with the torque link bolts at that time.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The separation of the securing hardware for the right main landing gear upper and lower torque links for undetermined reasons, which prevented extension of the right main landing gear.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Prelim: Siai-Marchetti SM 1019

As The Pilot Turned Onto Final For Runway 19, He Noticed That The Engine RPM Oscillations Became More Erratic

Location: Richland, WA Accident Number: WPR26LA006
Date & Time: October 2, 2025, 10:50 Local Registration: N3172U
Aircraft: Siai-Marchetti SM 1019 Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 2, 2025, about 1050 Pacific daylight time, a Siai-Marchetti SM 1019, N3172U, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Richland, Washington.

The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed Tri-Cities Airport (PSC), Pasco, Washington, on a local flight. About 45 minutes into the flight, he observed uncommanded engine rpm oscillations and decided to make a precautionary landing at Richland Airport (RLD), Richland, Washington.

While on the downwind leg for runway 19, as the pilot moved the condition lever forward, it felt like the propeller was moving unsolicited, from beta to flight idle. He recalled that when he tried to return the propeller from beta, to flight idle, the engine rpm oscillations increased significantly.

As the pilot turned onto final for runway 19, he noticed that the engine rpm oscillations became more erratic. The pilot stated that when the propeller felt like it had entered beta, the airspeed decreased below the airplane’s stall speed and thrusted the occupants forward in their seats. Subsequently, the pilot lowered the nose added power and noted that the slightest increase of the power control lever resulted in an extreme engine rpm increase followed by the nose of the airplane pitching upward. He applied 15° flaps and slowed the airplane to about 50 knots.

The pilot stated that after touchdown, the landing roll was normal for about 50 ft. As he applied brakes, the engine rpm increased and the airplane became airborne. Subsequently, the airplane turned left, touched down hard on the runway, and the right main landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing was substantially damaged. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov