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The following can be found at: http://www.itsasafety.org/Aviation/CHI/lnarr_95A144.htm
CHI95LA144
On May 2, 1995, at 1550 eastern daylight time, an ultralight
Challenger, N100GB, was destroyed when it impacted trees shortly after
taking off from a private grass strip in Bridgeport, Michigan. The pilot,
who was not injured, reported a loss of control. The local 14 CFR Part 91
flight operated without flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.
According to the pilot, while making a right climbing turn after
takeoff, at approximately 500 feet above the ground, the airplane started
to bank to the left. The pilot stated despite his use of full right
rudder, the banking continued. He continued to stated, "The plane
kept tightening up into a left flat spiral to the ground."
The pilot had approximately 4 hours of flight time in the Challenger.
The optional kit doors were installed on the ultralight during all four
hours of flight time.
In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he had experienced this
same type of left banking once before while landing. In that incident he
was able to regain control of the ultralight. The pilot stated he believes
that the ailerons of the Challenger are almost non-effective and a pilot
needs to use the rudder more then in any other airplane that he has ever
flown before. He stated that the rudder has to be used to make the
Challenger turn.
The Chief Engineer with Popular Flying Association in the United
Kingdom, stated in a telephone interview that the Challenger is
directionally unstable when the doors are installed. As a result, several
modifications to the Challenger are mandatory before their operation is
permitted in the United Kingdom. The modification consists of the
installation of a larger tail fin, rudder, and reinforcements.
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