# NTSB LAX00LA331: E. J. Humphrey Christen Eagle II, N44ED, Lake Elsinore, CA, September 9, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 2000, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Lake Elsinore, CA - Coordinates: 34.50085, -117.289657 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5008&lon=-117.2897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50230 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA331 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50230/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA331 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from ground obstacles that resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree, while intentionally maneuvering at a low altitude, and the pilot's inattentive visual lookout. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - initiated, pilot in command - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inattentive, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis As the pilot maneuvered at a low altitude to afford the passenger the opportunity to photograph the landscape, the airplane collided with a tree and terrain. The airplane impacted the ground 85 feet from the tree and came to rest 320 feet from the tree. A postimpact fire erupted which destroyed the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration coordinator reported that flight visibility from the rear seat, where the pilot was situated, was somewhat restricted. The continuity of the flight control system was verified, and no evidence was observed of any preimpact malfunction with any of the examined wreckage. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 9, 2000, about 1335 hours Pacific daylight time, an E. J. Humphrey, Christen Eagle II, N44ED, operated by the pilot, collided with a tree and terrain while maneuvering about 6 miles southeast of Lake Elsinore, California. The experimental homebuilt airplane was destroyed, and the private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed during the personal flight that was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed for the local area flight that originated about 1300 from Chino, California. The owner of the accident airplane reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the pilot had borrowed his airplane for the purpose of having the passenger take aerial photographs of landscape during their flight. The airplane owner was also airborne in another of his airplanes, and he was in radio contact with his acquaintance, the accident pilot. After flying for several minutes, radio communications between the airplanes' pilots ceased, and a column of smoke was observed. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that he examined the accident site and airplane wreckage. The entire airplane was found at the site, along with an impact-damaged tree. The approximate distance from the impacted tree to the initial airplane-related ground scar signatures was about 85 feet. The main wreckage was found about 320 feet from the tree. The airplane was observed destroyed by impact forces and a postimpact ground fire. The continuity of the flight control system was verified. The FAA reported that no evidence was observed of any preimpact malfunction with any of the examined airplane wreckage. The pilot was found in the rear seat position; the passenger was in the front seat. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to the FAA coordinator, the flight visibility from the rear seat was somewhat restricted. The owner reported that the pilot had a parachute onboard the airplane. At departure, the fuel tanks were full of fuel, for a total of 25 gallons. The engine should have consumed about 5 gallons of fuel by the time of the accident. MEDICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed by the Riverside County Coroner's Office, Riverside, California. The FAA performed toxicology tests on the pilot. No evidence of ethanol or any screened drugs was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44ED](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44ED-2001-02-27), registration cancelled 2001-02-27, S/N HUMPHREY-0001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: E. J. Humphrey CHRISTEN EAGLE II (CHRISTEN E) - Registry model: [Humphrey E J CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/humphrey-e-j-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658BC) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: HUMPHREY0001 - Engines: Lycoming NOT REPORTED reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paul T. Onofrey - Registered owner: Anton Ostermeier - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 194 °F, dew point 82 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RIV, 15 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 20000909014959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000909014959A), Sep 9, 2000: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Lake Elsinore, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) Pilot flying a christen eagle ii(N44ED) took off from a chino airport, CA. On a local flight. Pilot had a passenger on board, owner of accident airplane… ## Other investigations on N44ED (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI90DEP08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEP08), Aug 7, 1990: Christen Industries Eagle II (N44ED), Milwaukee, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL, HIS MISJUDGMENT OF PROPER GLIDEPATH AND HIS NOT PERFORMING A TIMELY GO-AROUND. 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.