# NTSB LAX91LA412: Christian Ind. Eagle II, N432EC, Incline Village, NV, September 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1991, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Incline Village, NV
- Coordinates: 39.240055, -119.939201 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2401&lon=-119.9392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA412
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA412

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO RECOVER FROM THE MANEUVER IN A TIMELY MANNER WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE STRIKING THE WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A CHRISTIAN EAGLE II COLLIDED WITH THE WATER WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATICS. NUMEROUS WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO AERODYNAMICALLY STALL AT THE TOP OF A VERTICAL CLIMB AS IN A HAMMERHEAD MANEUVER AND THEN ENTERED INTO A SPIN.  THE AIRPLANE STOPPED SPINNING AND CONTINUED TO DESCEND IN A 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE WATER'S SURFACE. THE PILOT HELD A FAA STATEMENT OF ACROBATIC COMPETENCY WHICH WAS ISSUED ON MAY 13, 1991. ACCORDING TO THE CHRISTIAN EAGLE II PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK SPINS ARE APPROVED MANEUVERS AND MAY BE PERFORMED INTENTIONALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N432EC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N432EC-1992-01-24), registration cancelled 1992-01-24, S/N 0001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHRISTIAN IND. EAGLE II
- Registry model: [Smith/Menicucci CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-menicucci-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658KW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0001
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beck, Donald
- Registered owner: Beck, Donald
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: O04, CARSON CITY, NV
- Destination: TRK, TRUCKEE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL, 11 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 19910928043539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910928043539A), Sep 28, 1991: Amtral EAGLE2, Incline Village, NV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Hammerhead stall over lake. Entered spin. Recovered spin too late. Impacted lake 45 degrees nose down.

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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