# NTSB LAX97LA173: Shoaf Christen Eagle II, N61GS, Half Moon Bay, CA, April 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 1997, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Half Moon Bay, CA - Coordinates: 37.439533, -122.410133 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4395&lon=-122.4101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29782 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29782/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA173 ## Probable cause undetermined. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot and pilot-rated passenger failed to return from a local scenic flight. Radar data was obtained for an aircraft that departed about the same time as the accident aircraft. It was observed in an area known to be a practice area of the owner/pilot. Witnesses saw an aircraft crash into the Pacific Ocean while maneuvering in that area near the time of flight. The aircraft was not found, and the injuries are presumed. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 1997, about 1515 hours Pacific daylight time, a Christen/Shoaf Eagle II, N61GS, owned and operated by the pilot, is presumed to have crashed into the Pacific ocean about 13 nautical miles south-southeast of Half Moon Bay, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and his pilot rated passenger are presumed to have received fatal injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a missing aircraft report (ALNOT), which reported the aircraft departed Half Moon Bay Airport for a 30-minute local scenic flight. The report stated that the pilot frequently practiced aerobatics between Martins Beach and San Gregorio Creek. According to San Mateo Sheriff information, there were two farm workers who observed an aircraft crash into the ocean after maneuvering in that area. The accident/incident location was reported as latitude 37 degrees 18.999 minutes and longitude 122 degrees 25.389 minutes. According to FAA medical records, the pilot had taken a second-class flight physical on the day of the presumed accident. A note in the medical file stated that the pilot was to return to the examining physician with different glasses to verify his corrected vision. Partial radar data was recovered for an aircraft departing Half Moon Bay Airport about the time of the reported departure of the accident aircraft. The aircraft was reporting a VFR transponder code of 1200 and was tracked south over the ocean until it was lost from radar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61GS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61GS-1997-08-26), registration cancelled 1997-08-26, S/N SHOAF0001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SHOAF CHRISTEN EAGLE II (CHRISTEN E) - Registry model: [Shoaf George S CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/shoaf-george-s-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658UN) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0001 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George S. Shoaf - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: HAF, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,337 total, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 12 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KPA ## 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 19970429012089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970429012089A), Apr 29, 1997: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Half Moon Bay, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (.4)The pilot and pilot-rated passenger failed to return from a local scenic flight. Radar data was obtained for an aircraft that departed about the same time… 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.