Amateur-built CHRISTEN EAGLE II accident near Blythe, Georgia, September 14, 2013
On September 14, 2013 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 1990 amateur-built CHRISTEN EAGLE II, registered N887AS, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Blythe, Georgia (Pea Patch Aerodrome airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 14, 2013 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Blythe, Georgia · Pea Patch Aerodrome · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CHRISTEN EAGLE II NO SERIES, built 1990
- Registration
- N887AS · registry record · serial 1
- 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, there was about a 10 knot crosswind from the east while departing the airport to the south. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane drifted toward trees on the west side of the runway due to a left quartering tailwind. In addition, the airplane's climb performance decreased due to the tailwind. The pilot banked the airplane into the wind, the left wing "dropped," and the airplane stalled. The pilot made a forced landing and slid to a stop colliding with a tree and building structure. The airplane sustained substantial damage to left and right wing. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Residence/building › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 990 hours in all; 253 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 837 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,193 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 1, 2013; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,578 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming L-19745-5 1A (piston); 277 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 61GA Blythe GA at 6:45 pm
- Destination: HQU Thomson GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 18, 2,500 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from AGS, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.