Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB CEN11FA299
CLAUS RODNEY L CHRISTEN EAGLE II — San Angelo, TX
| Date | April 17, 2011 |
| Location | San Angelo, TX |
| Aircraft | CLAUS RODNEY L CHRISTEN EAGLE II (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-aerobatics Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 23 |
| Pilot total time | 606 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | 44 hrs |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain sufficient altitude to recover from a low-level aerobatic maneuver.
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
What happened
Radar data depicted the airplane performing several maneuvers shortly after takeoff consistent with aerobatic flight at altitudes below what is permitted by Federal regulation and below what is recommended as minimum altitudes for aerobatic flight. The airplane departed controlled flight and impacted the ground. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunction or failure of the airplane. The pilot's logbook did not note any formal aerobatic training.