# NTSB SEA83FYK04: Homebuilt Christen Eagle II, N4GT, Bend, OR, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1983, 13:56 local (20:56 UTC)
- Place: Bend, OR
- Coordinates: 44.069828, -121.249084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0698&lon=-121.2491&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): 39646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FYK04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FYK04

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

UPON COMPLETION OF HIS ROUTINE DURING AN AIRSHOW, THE PLT STATED TO THE SHOW ANNOUNCER THAT HE WOULD DO A LOW PASS DOWN THE RWY FOLLOWED BY A VERTICAL CLIMB TO A HAMMERHEAD STALL & THEN INTO A LOMCEVAK AEROBATIC MANEUVER. THIS MANEUVER IS ACLIMBING OUTSIDE SNAP ROLL THAT IS PERFORMED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE ACFT'S UPWARD INERTIA OVERCOMES ITS NORMAL AERODYNAMIC SNAP ROLL TENDENCIES, CAUSING IT TO TUMBLE END-OVER-END BRIEFLY BEFORE IT DETERIORATES INTO A FLAT INVERTED SPIN. ENTRY INTO THE MANEUVER WITH ACFT SUCH AS THE EAGLE IIIS AT AN ALTITUDE OF AT LEAST 1,000 AGL AT SEA LEVEL. THE ENTRY ALTITUDE MUST BE INCREASED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE REDUCTION OF THE ACFT'S VERTICAL PENETRATION WHICH OCCURS WHEN THE MANEUVER IS PERFORMED AT HIGHER ALTITUDES. A VIDEOTAPE OF THE ACCIDENT SHOWED THAT THE PLT INITIATED THE MANEUVER ATA PULL-UP ALTITUDE OF 500-600 FT AGL. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE ALTITUDE THAT THE PLT ENTERED THE MANEUVER WAS 6,800 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4GT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4GT-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N T-0033, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOMEBUILT CHRISTEN EAGLE II (CHRISTEN E)
- Registry model: [Thom Gerald V CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/thom-gerald-v-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 0565886) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t0-360-series) (registry code 41528, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: T-0033
- Airframe hours: 366
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald Virgil Thom
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1983, 45 hours before
- Airport: S07, Bend Muni, runway 34, 3,803 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,022 total, 366 in this make and model, 930 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 15 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 19830605022549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830605022549A), Jun 5, 1983: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Bend, OR, Destroyed. Performed acrobatic maneuvers too low for safe recovery. Stalled and spun in on attempted abrupt recovery.

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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