# NTSB DEN87LA170: Christian Eagle II, N81DG, Snowmass, CO, July 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1987, 17:08 local (23:08 UTC)
- Place: Snowmass, CO
- Coordinates: 39.329071, -106.980148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3291&lon=-106.9801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

THE ATP PLT AND HIS PASSENGER DEPARTED ASPEN, CO ON A LOCAL ACROBATIC FLIGHT. WITNESSES STATED THE PLT HAD BEEN PERFORMING ACROBATIC MANUEVERS AND WAS ATTEMPTING A 'LOOP' WHEN THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO 'STALL' AT THE TOP OF THE MANUEVER, APPROXIMATELY 2000 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT SPIN IN A NEAR VERTICAL, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL GRD IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, ENG OR PROP WAS FOUND. THE PLT HAD BUILT N81DG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81DG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81DG-1991-04-18), registration cancelled 1991-04-18, S/N GRUNDFEST0001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHRISTIAN EAGLE II
- Registry model: [Grundfest Dave JR CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/grundfest-dave-jr-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658BZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001DG
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Grundfest
- Registered owner: Dave Groundfest
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1987
- Departed: ASE, ASPEN, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,553 total, 112 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 20 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 19870705080459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870705080459A), Jul 5, 1987: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Snowmass, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed while performing an aerobatic maneuver. Aircraft stalled and went into a flat spin then recovered too late.

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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