NTSB Factual Report

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 flight control system was verified. The FAA reported that no evidence was observed of any preimpact malfunction with any of the examined airplane wreckage.

The pilot was found in the rear seat position; the passenger was in the front seat.

AIRPLANE INFORMATION

According to the FAA coordinator, the flight visibility from the rear seat was somewhat restricted.

The owner reported that the pilot had a parachute onboard the airplane. At departure, the fuel tanks were full of fuel, for a total of 25 gallons. The engine should have consumed about 5 gallons of fuel by the time of the accident.

MEDICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed by the Riverside County Coroner's Office, Riverside, California.

The FAA performed toxicology tests on the pilot. No evidence of ethanol or any screened drugs was found.

NTSB 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.