N1666RHoltz Rodney R CHALLENGER II · 2008

The pilot/owner of the recently purchased experimental amateur-built airplane submitted a report to the NTSB immediately after the accident. He explained that as he maneuvered the airplane in a left crosswind turn, the gullwing-styled cabin door opened, “creating significant noise and buffeting that affected aircraft stability and directional control.” The pilot said he attempted to secure the door and stabilize the airplane, but that it continued in a left descending turn that he could not arrest, and that he ultimately reduced power and completed a “mushing stall to ground contact” that resulted in no injury to himself but substantial damage to the airframe.

A conversation with the airplane kit manufacturer revealed that the airplane was controllable with a door open in flight. He said the airplane required vigilance and proper use of the rudder to maintain coordinated flight and added that those transitioning from production airplanes benefitted from “differences training” because of the design and function of the pedals.

An FAA inspector inspected the doors on the airplane and found that they closed and locked securely, and he confirmed flight control continuity. In conversation with the pilot after the inspection, the pilot volunteered that there was nothing wrong with the flight controls of the airplane and that he “may have overcontrolled the aircraft while trying to close the door” which resulted in the hard landing.

The pilot reported that she made a wide turn from base leg to final approach because she did not know exactly where the runway was placed. She stated she banked the airplane to line up with the runway and was still in a bank when the airplane approached the runway threshold. She added power to keep from getting too low, but the airplane contacted the ground and spun around, coming to a stop up against a chain-link fence.The left wing, rudder, and elevator sustained substantial damage.

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

The experimental amateur built airplane was landing on ultralight runway 33 during Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture when the accident occurred. The EAA AirVenture Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) contained a diagram showing the approach route for airplanes landing on runway 33. The procedure is to follow the northbound road at the east end of Ripple Road then make an approximate 30° left turn near the runway threshold to align with the runway. The west side of the northbound road is bordered by trees. The accident airplane contacted the ground near the beginning of the displaced threshold for the runway.

The accident was captured on a ground-based video which showed the airplane in a left descending turn as it approached the runway. The airplane continued in the left turn until the left wing contacted the ground. The left main gear and nose gear then contacted the ground followed shortly thereafter by the right main gear. The airplane then slid rearward and spun to the left coming to rest after the tail contacted the fence. The airplane came to rest on a heading of 45°.