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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 30, 1994 · Henderson Christen Eagle II Christen E · N39RH

Painesville, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Painesville, OH
Aircraft
Henderson Christen Eagle II Christen E
Tail Number
N39RH
Operator
Robert N Henderson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO94LA161

THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND WHEN AN UNSUCCESSFUL AEROBATIC MANEUVER WAS ATTEMPTED. THERE WERE SEVERAL WITNESSES WHO SAW AND HEARD THE AIRPLANE DURING THE MANEUVERS. ONE OF THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT COMPLETED SEVERAL STALL/SPINS SUCCESSFULLY. THE WITNESS WHO IS A PILOT STATED THAT HE SAW THE AIRPLANE IN A FLAT SPIN, BEFORE DISAPPEARING BEHIND THE TREES. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN THE INVERTED POSITION. AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT NO ANOMALIES WERE NOTED.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while conducting aerobatic maneuvers. The pilot's overconfidence in his ability was a factor.

Full Narrative

On September 30, 1994, at 1240 eastern daylight time, N39RH, a Christen Eagle II, owned and operated by Robert N. Henderson of Richmond Heights, Ohio, crashed in Leroy Township, Ohio. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The local, personal flight was operated under 14 CFR 91 and originated at Lost Nation Airport, Ohio. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot and his passenger were attired with parachutes in the airplane for some aerobatic maneuvers. There were several witness who saw and heard the airplane while it was performing aerobatic maneuvers. One of the witnesses who is a pilot reported that he saw the airplane complete several stall/spins successfully. He stated that he saw the airplane in a flat spin and that the engine was operating before it disappeared behind the trees. The airplane struck the ground inverted. According to the FAA Inspector who examined the wreckage at the accident site no anomalies were noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHenderson Christen Eagle II Christen E
Tail NumberN39RH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert N Henderson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360-A10 · Reciprocating · 200

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data