# NTSB LAX90DUJ06: Christen/Walter Christen Eagle II, N3272U, Marana, AZ, August 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1990, 17:40 local (Aug 20, 1990, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Marana, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.450275, -111.290382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4503&lon=-111.2904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUJ06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUJ06

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF CONTROL BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE AIRCRAFT ENTER INTO A HAMMERHEAD TURN, LOSE CONTROL AND PROCEED INTO AN INVERTED FLAT SPIN UNTIL IT WENT OUT OF SIGHT. THEY REPORTED THE ENGINE WAS AT FULL POWER AT THE TIME. VISUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS EXISTED AND NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A 60 DEGREE NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL UPRIGHT ATTITUDE. BOTH PILOTS WERE WEARING PARACHUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3272U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3272U-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N WALTER 0001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHRISTEN/WALTER CHRISTEN EAGLE II (CHRISTEN E)
- Registry model: [Walter Ron C CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/walter-ron-c-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658HE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: WALTER 0001
- Airframe hours: 157
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1D reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Fred A. Leidig
- Registered owner: Robert P. Keller
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 26, 1989, 30 hours before
- Departed: E14, MARDAMA/AURA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 40 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 19900819033869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900819033869A), Aug 19, 1990: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Marana, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Went into flat inverted spin after a hammerhead stall maneuver. Engine full power on impact.

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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