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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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March 26, 1986 · Christen Industries Eagle II · N39RH

Aurora, IN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 26, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Aurora, IN
Aircraft
Christen Industries Eagle II
Tail Number
N39RH
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FEX05

THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND WHEN AN UNSUCCESSFUL AEROBATIC LOOP MANEUVER WAS ATTEMPTED ON TAKEOFF. THE PILOT OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS ISSUED A STATEMENT OF ACROBATIC COMPENTENCY WHICH ALLOWED ALL MANEUVERS WITHIN THE LIMITATIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT AND WITH A MINIMUM ALTITUDE LIMITATION OF 500 FEET. THE PILOT HAD APPROXIMATELY 500 HOURS FLIGHT TIME WITH 460 HOURS AS PIC IN THIS TYPE AIRCRAFT. ACCORDING TO THE DESIGNER OF THIS AIRCRAFT IT IS NOT NORMALLY CAPABLE OF SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING A LOOP ON TAKEOFF.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND WHEN AN UNSUCCESSFUL AEROBATIC LOOP MANEUVER WAS ATTEMPTED ON TAKEOFF. THE PILOT OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS ISSUED A STATEMENT OF ACROBATIC COMPENTENCY WHICH ALLOWED ALL MANEUVERS WITHIN THE LIMITATIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT AND WITH A MINIMUM ALTITUDE LIMITATION OF 500 FEET. THE PILOT HAD APPROXIMATELY 500 HOURS FLIGHT TIME WITH 460 HOURS AS PIC IN THIS TYPE AIRCRAFT. ACCORDING TO THE DESIGNER OF THIS AIRCRAFT IT IS NOT NORMALLY CAPABLE OF SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING A LOOP ON TAKEOFF.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:24 EST
Nearest AirportAURORA (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length2400 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChristen Industries Eagle II
Tail NumberN39RH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 20 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data