# NTSB CHI90DEP08: Christen Industries Eagle II, N44ED, Milwaukee, WI, August 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1990, 16:48 local (21:48 UTC)
- Place: Milwaukee, WI
- Coordinates: 42.979766, -87.900764 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9798&lon=-87.9008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEP08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEP08

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL, HIS MISJUDGMENT OF PROPER GLIDEPATH AND HIS NOT PERFORMING A TIMELY GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON THE TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED AN EXCESSIVE SINK RATE, FROM WHICH THE PILOT DID NOT RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. NOTHING OF A MECHANICAL NATURE WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ENGINE FROM PERFORMING NORMALLY. THE PILOT MAE NO ATTEMPT TO GO-AROUND WHEN PROPER GLIDEPATH WAS NOT ATTAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44ED](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44ED-2001-02-27), registration cancelled 2001-02-27, S/N HUMPHREY-0001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Christen Industries EAGLE II
- Registry model: [Humphrey E J CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/humphrey-e-j-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658BC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: HUMPHREY
- Airframe hours: 126
- Engines: LYCOMING AE10-360-A1D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Humphrey, Edwin J.
- Registered owner: Edwin J. Humphrey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1990, 2 hours before
- Airport: MKE, General Mitchell, runway 7R, 8,010 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,470 total, 126 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE

## 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 19900807030979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900807030979A), Aug 7, 1990: Amtral EAGLE2, Milwaukee, WI, Substantial damage. Given right overhead approach. Impacted short and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N44ED (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 LAX00LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA331), Sep 9, 2000: E. J. Humphrey Christen Eagle II (N44ED), Lake Elsinore, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from ground obstacles that resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree, while intentionally maneuvering at a low altitude, and the pilot's inattentive…

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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