# NTSB NYC08CA097: Christen Industries Eagle II, N712RP, Boone, NC, February 9, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 9, 2008, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Boone, NC - Coordinates: 36.200336, -81.659286 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2003&lon=-81.6593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67495 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67495/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA097 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance/altitude while on the final leg of the traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident were the proximity of the trees to the threshold, and the lack of a displaced threshold. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Poyer Robert L JR CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05658A7), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Poyer Robert L JR CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05658A7), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Poyer Robert L JR CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=05658A7), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · ATC personnel; cases with it: [Poyer Robert L JR CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=05658A7), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Poyer Robert L JR CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05658A7), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the Christen Eagle II said he was "lined up well," for the runway but just prior to landing, the left wing struck trees, and the airplane impacted the ground near the runway threshold. The airplane came to rest inverted, and even though it was upside down, and the pilot had difficulty releasing the canopy, he was able to exit the airplane unassisted. Photographic evidence indicated that the trees were located approximately 80 feet prior to the threshold, with tops approximately 20 feet above the runway elevation. The runway threshold was not displaced, and the presence of the trees was not included in the commercially available obstacle notation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Christen Eagle II said he was "lined up well," for the runway but just prior to landing, the left wing struck trees, and the airplane impacted the ground near the runway threshold. The airplane came to rest inverted, and even though it was upside down, and the pilot had difficulty releasing the canopy, he was able to exit the airplane unassisted. Photographic evidence indicated that the trees were located approximately 80 feet prior to the threshold, with tops approximately 20 feet above the runway elevation. The runway threshold was not displaced, and the presence of the trees was not included in the commercially available obstacle notation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N712RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N712RP-2010-06-30), registration cancelled 2010-06-30, S/N 1002, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Christen Industries Eagle II - Registry model: [Poyer Robert L JR CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/poyer-robert-l-jr-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658A7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-a1d) (registry code 41853, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1002 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: NC14, Boone, NC - Airport: NC14, Boone Inc Airport, runway 13, 2,600 × 42 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 6,800 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: GEV, 18 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 20080209014049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080209014049A), Feb 9, 2008: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Boone, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot's statement described that on approach to land at Boone, NC (NC14) he inadvertently misjudged the height of the trees on the approach end of… 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.