Amateur-built CHRISTEN EAGLE II accident near Tyler, Texas, November 28, 2000
On November 28, 2000 at about 10:24 pm local time, a amateur-built CHRISTEN EAGLE II, registered N83007, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tyler, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's performance of aerobatic maneuvers at a low altitude and his failure to maintain terrain clearance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 28, 2000 · about 10:24 pm local time
- Place
- Tyler, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CHRISTEN EAGLE II CHRISTEN E
- Registration
- N83007 · no longer on the register · serial LAN/KAR0001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
There were two pilots aboard the aircraft at the time of the accident, and the flying pilot could not be determined. According to friends of both pilots, the front seat pilot would demonstrate or "instruct" aerobatic maneuvers to the rear seat pilot/aircraft owner. According to two witnesses, the rear seat pilot/aircraft owner was conducting an "airshow" in the amateur-built aerobatic airplane for them. Another witness observed the airplane maneuvering below the clouds (which were reported to be 2,700 feet above the ground). This witness, who was an aerobatic flight instructor and former Naval aviator, stated that the pilot was conducting a hammerhead stall and flew "dangerously low" prior to disappearing behind trees and impacting the ground. The FAA inspector confirmed flight control continuity and noted that the propeller blades were twisted. The front seat pilot tested positive for citalopram, which is a prescription anti-depressant medication.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,139 hours in all; 27 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,618 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 3, 2000; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TYR at 10:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,700 ft
- Temperature: 158°F (70°C), dew point 142°F (61°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:16 pm from TYR, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N83007 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.