# Accident 20040404010299A: Chris A1, Curtis, NE, April 4, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 4, 2004, 18:00 local time
- Place: Curtis, NE
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.6375° N, 100.4711° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6375&lon=-100.4711&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9599B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9599B-2013-08-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Christen Industries A-1 (registry code 221020X, https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHRIS A1
- Reported engine: LYC O360*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 2,700 total, 21 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI04LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA100) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040404010299A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PILOT PERFORMED A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF TO THE SOUTH AND CLIMBED STRAIGHT UP TO APPROXIMATELY SEVENTY-FIVE FEET TO ONE HUNDRED FEET OF ALTITUDE. THE PILOT DID WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A HAMMERHEAD TYPE OF MANUEVER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER BEFORE THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE GROUND, WITH THE AIRCRAFT IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, SLIDING/BOUNCING ACROSS THE CORNFIELD, ENDING ON A WESTERLY HEADING. FAMILY MEMBERS AT THE NEARBY HOUSE ASSISTED THE BACKSEAT PASSENGER OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT DIED AT THE SCENE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI04LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA100), Apr 5, 2004: Christen A-1 (N9599B), Curtis, NE, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's ostentatious display of a "hammerhead stall" during intial climb and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. A factor was the post impact fire.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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