# NTSB ERA10LA025: Argence Enas A. Christen Eagle, N24EA, Hernando, MS, October 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 2009, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Hernando, MS - Coordinates: 34.792221, -90.035552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7922&lon=-90.0356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Jackson FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74939 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74939/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74939 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a return to the airport, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Argence Enas A CHRISTEN EAGLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05658TH), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Argence Enas A CHRISTEN EAGLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05658TH), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Argence Enas A CHRISTEN EAGLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05658TH), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, run up, lift off and initial climb were normal. He further stated that after the initial climb, he has no memory of the circumstances surrounding the crash. Witnesses reported that shortly after takeoff there was a “loud bang or pop” from the airplane. The pilot attempted to return to the airport; however, the airplane started to spin and collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude and slid about 70 feet before coming to rest. Examination of the wreckage found no preexisting mechanical problems with the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative On October 21, 2009, at 1230 central daylight time, an amateur-built Argence Enas A, Christen Eagle, N24EA, crashed off the end of runway 14, at the Hernando Village Airpark, Inc., (H75) Hernando, Mississippi. The certificated commercial pilot, who was also the owner of the airplane, incurred serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed, for the local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, run up, lift off and initial climb were normal. The pilot also stated that after the initial climb he has no memory of the circumstances surrounding the crash. Witnesses stated that shortly after takeoff there was a “loud bang or pop” from the airplane. The pilot attempted to return to the airport; however, the airplane started to spin and collided with the ground in a nose down attitude and slid about 70 feet before coming to rest. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found the airplane in an open field with the upper wings partially separated from the airframe and the lower wings separated at the wing root. Examination of the wooden propeller found all three blades separated mid span and splintered. The inspector stated that he found no pre-existing mechanical problems with the airframe or engine following his examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24EA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24EA-2010-04-29), registration cancelled 2010-04-29, S/N 0003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Argence Enas A. Christen Eagle - Registry model: [Argence Enas A CHRISTEN EAGLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/argence-enas-a-christen-eagle) (registry code 05658TH) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0003 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-AID 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2009, 6.2 hours before - Departed: H75, Hernando, MS - Destination: H75, Hernando, MS - Airport: H75, Hernando Village Arpt, Inc, runway 14, 3,340 × 65 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 6,400 total, 250 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 14 nm away ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 29, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74939. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329318&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies, Police Report (item 2, .PDF, 191 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329319&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies,%20Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329320&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - FAA Digital Photo; Aircraft Damage 1 (item 4, .PDF, 769 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo;%20Aircraft%20Damage%201-Master.PDF - FAA digital Photo; Aircraft Damage 2 (item 5, .PDF, 717 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20digital%20Photo;%20Aircraft%20Damage%202-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports (item 6, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Master.PDF 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.