# NTSB CHI98LA209: Tillman Christen II, N124ET, Howell, MI, June 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1998, 16:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Howell, MI - Coordinates: 42.600139, -83.92984 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6001&lon=-83.9298&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10923 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10923/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA209 ## Probable cause the pilot not maintaining aircraft control during the go-around maneuver. A factor in this accident was the pilot s lack of recent experience in the accident airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - go-around - performed, pilot in command - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The homebuilt airplane was observed doing a go-around from a landing approach. Shortly after initiaited the go-around, the airplane was observed in a steep left bank that continued until the airplane descended and collided with the ground. The airplane was consumed by a post-impact fire. The on-scene investigation revealed no anomalies with the airframe, flight control system or engine that would prevent flight. The pilot s last logged flight in the airplane was about 2-years and 11- months before the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1998, at 1605 eastern daylight time, a Tillman Christen II, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed during a collision with the ground and post-impact fire following a loss of control during a go- around from a landing approach to Runway 31 (4,300' X 75' dry asphalt) at the Livingston County Airport, Howell, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal; flight was not operating on a flight plan at the time of the accident. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Howell, Michigan, exact time unknown. A mechanic who was employed by the fixed base operator where the pilot had some work accomplished on the airplane and purchased fuel said the airplane's takeoff "...seemed to be squirrelly and unsteady... ." He said he thought the airplane was in the air for about 1-hour before the crash. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector, the airplane reportedly entered a steep left bank as it entered onto crosswind leg of the traffic pattern and entered an uncontrolled descent, impacting the ground a short time later. The on-scene investigation revealed no anomalies with the airframe, flight control system, or engine that would have prevented flight. The pilot's logbook showed his last flight in N124ET was September 21,1995. At that time, the logbook showed he had a total time of 32.2 hours in N124ET. The logbook also showed the pilot had 115 hours of flight time in tail wheel airplanes. The make and models of the tailwheel airplanes was not shown. An autopsy of the pilot was conducted by the Livingston County Michigan, medical examiner on June 20, 1998. The report showed the pilot's fatal injuries were from "...multiple trauma... ." The toxicology examination was conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Civil Aeromedical Institute located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The results of that toxicology examination were Metoprolol and Triamterene were detected in the samples examined. Metoprolol and Triamterene are anti-hypertensive drugs used for individuals with cardio-vascular abnormalities. According to the pilot's FAA medical records, he had an FAA approval for the use of these drugs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N124ET](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124ET-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N T001, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TILLMAN CHRISTEN II (CHRISTEN I) - Registry model: [Tillman Edwin CHRISTEN II](https://openairdocs.org/model/tillman-edwin-christen-ii) (registry code 05658A3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: T0001 - Airframe hours: 48 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edwin A. Tillman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 19, 1998 - Departed: OZW - Destination: OZW ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; 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: 6,412 total, 32 in this make and model, 6,400 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported - Wind: 220° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OZW, 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 19980619014339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980619014339A), Jun 19, 1998: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Howell, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled during steep climbing turn on takeoff. Crashed. Burned. (-23) aircraft made a steep left bank onto a crosswind leg before entering an uncontrolled… 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.