E. J. Humphrey CHRISTEN EAGLE II accident near Lake Elsinore, CA
On September 9, 2000, an E. J. Humphrey CHRISTEN EAGLE II (airplane) was involved in an accident near Lake Elsinore, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 9, 2000
- Place
- Lake Elsinore, CA
- Aircraft
- E. J. Humphrey CHRISTEN EAGLE II · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.501°N, 117.290°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X22007
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 9, 2000, about 1335 hours Pacific daylight time, an E. J. Humphrey, Christen Eagle II, N44ED, operated by the pilot, collided with a tree and terrain while maneuvering about 6 miles southeast of Lake Elsinore, California. The experimental homebuilt airplane was destroyed, and the private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed during the personal flight that was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed for the local area flight that originated about 1300 from Chino, California. The owner of the accident airplane reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the pilot had borrowed his airplane for the purpose of having the passenger take aerial photographs of landscape during their flight. The airplane owner was also airborne in another of his airplanes, and he was in radio contact with his acquaintance, the accident pilot. After flying for several minutes, radio communications between the airplanes' pilots ceased, and a column of smoke was observed. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that he examined the accident site and airplane wreckage. The entire airplane was found at the site, along with an impact-damaged tree. The approximate distance from the impacted tree to the initial airplane-related ground scar signatures was about 85 feet. The main wreckage was found about 320 feet from the tree. The airplane was observed destroyed by impact forces and a postimpact ground fire. The continuity of the fligh
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from ground obstacles that resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree, while intentionally maneuvering at a low altitude, and the pilot's inattentive visual lookout.
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Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
