INCLINE VILLAGE, NV, USA
N432EC
CHRISTIAN IND. EAGLE II
A CHRISTIAN EAGLE II COLLIDED WITH THE WATER WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATICS. NUMEROUS WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO AERODYNAMICALLY STALL AT THE TOP OF A VERTICAL CLIMB AS IN A HAMMERHEAD MANEUVER AND THEN ENTERED INTO A SPIN. THE AIRPLANE STOPPED SPINNING AND CONTINUED TO DESCEND IN A 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE WATER'S SURFACE. THE PILOT HELD A FAA STATEMENT OF ACROBATIC COMPETENCY WHICH WAS ISSUED ON MAY 13, 1991. ACCORDING TO THE CHRISTIAN EAGLE II PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK SPINS ARE APPROVED MANEUVERS AND MAY BE PERFORMED INTENTIONALLY.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO RECOVER FROM THE MANEUVER IN A TIMELY MANNER WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE STRIKING THE WATER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
