Amateur-built Christen Eagle accident near Hernando, Mississippi, October 21, 2009
On October 21, 2009 at about 5:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Christen Eagle, registered N24EA, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Hernando, Mississippi (Hernando Village Arpt, Inc airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a return to the airport, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 21, 2009 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hernando, Mississippi · Hernando Village Arpt, Inc · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Christen Eagle
- Registration
- N24EA · no longer on the register · serial 0003
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, run up, lift off and initial climb were normal. He further stated that after the initial climb, he has no memory of the circumstances surrounding the crash. Witnesses reported that shortly after takeoff there was a “loud bang or pop” from the airplane. The pilot attempted to return to the airport; however, the airplane started to spin and collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude and slid about 70 feet before coming to rest. Examination of the wreckage found no preexisting mechanical problems with the airframe or engine.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 6,400 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 6,300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 1, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 16, 2009; 6.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-AID (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: H75 Hernando MS at 5:30 pm
- Destination: H75 Hernando MS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 3,340 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; scat at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from MEM, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.