Amateur-built Christen Eagle II accident near Topsail Beach, North Carolina, September 3, 2006
On September 3, 2006 at about 5:45 pm local time, a amateur-built Christen Eagle II, registered N225FL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Topsail Beach, North Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The in-flight separation of the engine and propeller from the airframe for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the airplane's uncontrolled impact with water.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 2006 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Topsail Beach, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Christen Eagle II
- Registration
- N225FL · no longer on the register · serial 308005010209
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, while at 2,000 feet in cruise flight he heard a "loud bang," and then the airplane vibrated uncontrollably. The pilot bailed out safely. According to the Topsail Beach Police Department, several witnesses on the beach stated the airplane was flying at an altitude of about 200-feet performing aerobatic maneuvers over the ocean strand. The witnesses stated that it looked like the engine separated from the front of the airplane. The engine and propeller have not been recovered. An FAA Inspector stated the pilot has not given the FAA permission to inspect the airplane wreckage.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,000 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 160 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 14,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 60.7 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection; 60.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Chinquapin NC at 5:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 1:56 pm from NCA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.