# NTSB BFO90FA077: Christen Industries A-1, N6082P, Middle River, MD, September 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1990, 14:03 local (18:03 UTC)
- Place: Middle River, MD
- Coordinates: 39.330829, -76.429016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3308&lon=-76.4290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11558
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90FA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11558/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA077

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DELAYED HIS RECOVERY FROM AN INTENTIONAL SPIN MANUEVER UNTIL THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - intentional, pilot in command
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANUEVERS AS PART OF AN AIRSHOW.  AFTER CONDUCTING SEVERAL MANUEVERS, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A DESCENT AND BEGAN TO SPIN.  THE AIRPLANE SPUN FOUR TIMES, THEN IT STRUCK THE GROUND AS THE PILOT WAS LEVELING FROM THE DESCENT.  THE ENGINE SOUNDS INCREASED JUST BEFORE IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6082P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES A-1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5165
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Jack B. Poage
- Registered owner: Jack B. Poage
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MTN
- Destination: MTN
- Airport: MTN, Martin State

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 12 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTN, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900923041479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900923041479A), Sep 23, 1990: Airtrc AT502B, Baltimore, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Airshow aerobatics. Entered low altitude spun but hit ground during pull out.

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.

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