# NTSB BFO94LA161: Henderson Christen Eagle II, N39RH, Painesville, OH, September 30, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 30, 1994, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Painesville, OH - Coordinates: 41.719818, -81.239219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7198&lon=-81.2392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8980 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8980/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA161 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while conducting aerobatic maneuvers. The pilot's overconfidence in his ability was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND WHEN AN UNSUCCESSFUL AEROBATIC MANEUVER WAS ATTEMPTED. THERE WERE SEVERAL WITNESSES WHO SAW AND HEARD THE AIRPLANE DURING THE MANEUVERS. ONE OF THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT COMPLETED SEVERAL STALL/SPINS SUCCESSFULLY. THE WITNESS WHO IS A PILOT STATED THAT HE SAW THE AIRPLANE IN A FLAT SPIN, BEFORE DISAPPEARING BEHIND THE TREES. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN THE INVERTED POSITION. AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT NO ANOMALIES WERE NOTED. ## Factual narrative On September 30, 1994, at 1240 eastern daylight time, N39RH, a Christen Eagle II, owned and operated by Robert N. Henderson of Richmond Heights, Ohio, crashed in Leroy Township, Ohio. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The local, personal flight was operated under 14 CFR 91 and originated at Lost Nation Airport, Ohio. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot and his passenger were attired with parachutes in the airplane for some aerobatic maneuvers. There were several witness who saw and heard the airplane while it was performing aerobatic maneuvers. One of the witnesses who is a pilot reported that he saw the airplane complete several stall/spins successfully. He stated that he saw the airplane in a flat spin and that the engine was operating before it disappeared behind the trees. The airplane struck the ground inverted. According to the FAA Inspector who examined the wreckage at the accident site no anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39RH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39RH-1997-04-09), registration cancelled 1997-04-09, S/N HENDERSON0001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HENDERSON CHRISTEN EAGLE II (CHRISTEN E) - Registry model: [Henderson Robert N CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/henderson-robert-n-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658HD) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: C EAGLE II - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A10 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert N Henderson - Registered owner: Robert N Henderson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LNN, WILLOUGHBY, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,200 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LNN, 10 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 19940930032289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940930032289A), Sep 30, 1994: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Painesville, OH, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed performing aerobatics. Entered flat inverted spin. Impacted ground. No anomalies. Occupants had parachutes ## Other investigations on N39RH (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 CHI86FEX05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEX05), Mar 26, 1986: Christen Industries Eagle II (N39RH), Aurora, IN, destroyed, 1 fatal 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.