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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 5, 1993 · Mascola Christen Eagle II Christen E · N53JS

Palo Pinto, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Palo Pinto, TX
Aircraft
Mascola Christen Eagle II Christen E
Tail Number
N53JS
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW93LA252

THE PILOT WAS SCHEDULED TO PERFORM IN AN AIR SHOW LATER ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. HE TOOK OFF FROM THE AIRPORT AND PROCEEDED TO AN UNINHABITED AREA TO PRACTICE AEROBATIC MANEUVERS PRIOR TO HIS OFFICIAL DEMONSTRATION. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT ENTER A HAMMERHEAD STALL, SPIN, AND THEN RECOVER. THE AIRPLANE THEN ENTERED A SECOND HAMMERHEAD STALL AT LOW ALTITUDE AND WAS IN AN ALMOST VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WHEN IT DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL STALL AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO ALLOW A SAFE RECOVERY.

Full Narrative

On September 5, 1993, at approximately 1100 central daylight time, N53JS, a Mascola Christen Eagle II, impacted terrain about three miles north of Palo Pinto, Texas, during aerobatic maneuvers. The airplane was destroyed and the airline transport rated pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The pilot was scheduled to perform in an air show later that day. He took off from the airport and proceeded to an uninhabited area to practice aerobatic maneuvers prior to his official demonstration. A witness told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector he saw the airplane enter a hammerhead stall, then spin. The airplane entered a second hammerhead stall at an altitude of approximately 900 feet AGL (above ground level), spin, and disappear behind a small hill. When the witness last saw the airplane, it was in an almost vertical attitude. The witness, who holds a private pilot license, is familiar with aerobatic maneuvers, having performed them in a Beech T-34. The witness also submitted a written statement and it is attached as an exhibit to this report. The FAA inspector submitted a statement describing his on-scene investigation and is attached as an exhibit to this report.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMascola Christen Eagle II Christen E
Tail NumberN53JS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data