# NTSB FTW98LA368: Massey Christen Eagle II, N72BJ, Galveston, TX, August 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1998, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Galveston, TX - Coordinates: 29.300209, -94.789993 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3002&lon=-94.7900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 14, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA368 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43887/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA368 ## Probable cause The inflight structural failure of the wing spars for the lower wings due to an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - wing,spar - failure (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that the in-flight structural failure of the wing spars for the lower wings on a homebuilt experimental biplane. The pilot reported that the airplane was in a shallow dive at an airspeed of 190 to 200 mph, while at an altitude of 4,200 feet above ground level, when he felt a flutter, accompanied by a severe airframe vibration. He also observed the flying wires on the biplane lose their tension 'and make large loops.' The pilot added that the airplane 'may have rolled or tumbled.' He regained control of the airplane after reducing engine power and landed the airplane without further incident. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that all four lower wing spars (forward and aft) failed in flight. The pilot recommended a redesign of the drag and anti-drag blocks at the compression ribs. However, the reason for the failure of the lower wing spars could not be conclusively determined. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1998, at 1600 central daylight time, a Massey Christen Eagle II experimental homebuilt biplane, N72BJ, was substantially damaged after experiencing a structural failure while maneuvering near Galveston, Texas. The instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local aerobatic flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from Galveston's Scholes Field Airport at approximately 1545. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he was in the process of entering an FAA approved aerobatic box to practice maneuvers in preparation for an upcoming aerobatic meet. The pilot further stated that while in a shallow dive, at an airspeed of 190 to 200 mph, while at an altitude of 4,200 feet agl, he felt a flutter, accompanied by a severe airframe vibration. The pilot reported that he observed the flying wires on the biplane lose their tension "and make large loops." The pilot added that the airplane "may have rolled or tumbled;" however, he managed to regain control of the airplane after reducing the engine power and landed without further incident. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that all four lower wing spars (forward and aft) failed in flight. In the recommendation block of the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot recommended a redesign of the drag and anti-drag blocks at the compression ribs. The reason for the failure of the lower wing spars could not be conclusively determined. The 1987 model airplane was purchased by the pilot on August 25, 1997. The airplane had accumulated a total of 607 flight hours. The last condition inspection was completed on January 20, 1998, approximately 83.8 flight hours prior to the accident. The pilot had accumulated a total of 936 flight hours, with a total of 125 hours in the accident make and model aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72BJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72BJ-1999-01-04), registration cancelled 1999-01-04, S/N M0118 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MASSEY CHRISTEN EAGLE II (CHRISTEN E) - Registry model: [Massey Donald E CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/massey-donald-e-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658BE) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M-0118 - Airframe hours: 607 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brian J. Boyle Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1998, 84 hours before - Departed: GLS - Airport: GLS, Scholes Field Airport, runway 13, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 936 total, 125 in this make and model, 854 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F ## 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 19980820021749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980820021749A), Aug 20, 1998: Galveston, TX, Substantial damage. Acft was entering the aerobox when it experienced structural failure on all wing spars, the acft went out of control, the pilot regained control and was able… 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.