# NTSB MKC85FA124: E.T. Meredith III Christen Eagle II, N33ET, Carlisle, IA, June 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1985, 11:25 local (16:25 UTC)
- Place: Carlisle, IA
- Coordinates: 41.509868, -93.480567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5099&lon=-93.4806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA124

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AEROBATIC AIRPLANE HAD A TOTAL OF 23.6 FLIGHT HOURS AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT. THIS ACCIDENT PILOT HAD FLOWN 6.3 HOURS OF THAT TIME. THE AIRCRAFT LOG DID NOT INDICATE ANY SPIN PRACTICE BY THIS PILOT IN THIS AIRPLANE BUT DID INDICATE THREE FLIGHTS WITH SPINS BY ANOTHER PILOT. THIS ACCIDENT PRECEEDED BY 20 MINUTES OF LOW ALTITUDE, HIGH SPEED FLIGHT AND AEROBATICS. PILOT APPEARED TO HAVE INITIATED A RIGHT SPIN AT 500 TO 1200 FEET AGL. SPIN CONTINUED TO IMPACT. ALTIMETER HAD NOT BEEN SET TO ZERO ALTITUDE BEFORE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33ET](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33ET-1998-01-27), registration cancelled 1998-01-27, S/N 01313 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: E.T. MEREDITH III CHRISTEN EAGLE II (CHRISTEN E)
- Registry model: [Meredith Edwin T III CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/meredith-edwin-t-iii-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658LB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01313
- Airframe hours: 26
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: E.T. Meredith III
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,900 total, 10 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 8 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 19850609047759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850609047759A), Jun 9, 1985: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Carlisle, IA, Destroyed. Entered steep climb at low altitude following a loop and spun into ground. Pilot had no spin training in aircraft.

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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