Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while conducting aerobatic maneuvers. The pilot's overconfidence in his ability was a factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
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.
Source record
Factual 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. -