# NTSB MIA90FA171: Neal Christen Eagle II, N3RN, Akron, AL, August 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1990, 18:30 local (Aug 17, 1990, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Akron, AL
- Coordinates: 32.870582, -87.730262 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8706&lon=-87.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA171

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND TO RECOVER FROM (OR AVOID) A SUBSEQUENT (FLAT) SPIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES, HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM THE SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THAT BEFORE THE ACDNT, THE ACFT WAS BETWEEN 400 & 1000 FT AGL IN STRAIGHT & LEVEL FLIGHT.  IT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A ROLL TO THE RIGHT.  AFTER ROLLING INVERTED, THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN.  THE ENG WAS HEARD TO REV UP AS THE ACFT CONTINUED INTO A FLAT SPIN.  SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN & WAS DESTROYED.  THE FLT MANUAL STATED THAT AEROBATIC FLT WAS NOT TO BE PERFORMED BELOW 1500 FT AGL; A MIN ALT OF 3000 FT TO 5000 FT AGL WAS RECOMMENDED FOR AEROBATIC FLT.  THE PLT HAD ONLY ABOUT 14 HRS IN THIS MAKE/MODEL OF ACFT.  THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT CONTAINED A PARACHUTE CANOPY, THOUGH IT WAS TO BE EMPTY FOR AEROBATIC FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3RN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3RN-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N NEAL 0001, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NEAL CHRISTEN EAGLE II (CHRISTEN E)
- Registry model: [Neal Ronald O CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/neal-ronald-o-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658JE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0001
- Airframe hours: 222
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Moody/Linebarger
- Registered owner: Robert T Rose
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1990, 35 hours before
- Departed: 02A, CLANTON, AL
- Destination: 3A7, EUTAW, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,359 total, 14 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 28 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 19900816033159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900816033159A), Aug 16, 1990: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Akron, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Entered inadvertent spin during aileron roll at low altitude. Recovered momentarily. Entered spin again. Impacted.

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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