# NTSB DEN89DTE02: Jones Christen Eagle II, N25DJ, Parker, CO, October 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1988, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Parker, CO
- Coordinates: 39.50093, -104.76078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5009&lon=-104.7608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89DTE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89DTE02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATICS IN A HOMEBUILT CHRISTEN EAGLE NEAR HIS GIRLFRIEND'S HOUSE WHERE A BIRTHDAY PARTY WAS IN PROGRESS. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT EXECUTED A ROLL AT LOW ALTITUDE AND 'WENT STRAIGHT IN.' WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR AND EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR DEFICIENCY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25DJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25DJ-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N JONES-0001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JONES CHRISTEN EAGLE II (CHRISTEN E)
- Registry model: [Jones Ronald D CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/jones-ronald-d-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658CN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JONES-0001
- Airframe hours: 488
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 AID 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gaeth, Arthur
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1988, 56 hours before
- Departed: 1W1, DENVER, CO
- Destination: 1W1

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,122 total, 258 in this make and model, 1,020 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 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 19881030050949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881030050949A), Oct 30, 1988: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Parker, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Rolled at a low altitude near friends house. Lost control and dived into the ground.

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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