Amateur-built EDI 90FT accident near Chehalis, Washington, December 11, 2005
On December 11, 2005 at about 10:50 pm local time, a amateur-built EDI 90FT, registered N900EH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chehalis, Washington (Chehalis-Centralia 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 loss of control of the aircraft for undetermined reasons while on a one-half mile straight-in VFR GPS final approach. Factors included his unsuccessful remedial action, and contact with the terrain in an open soft field.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 11, 2005 · about 10:50 pm local time
- Place
- Chehalis, Washington · Chehalis-Centralia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built EDI 90FT
- Registration
- N900EH · registry record · serial CH067
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on a one-half mile VFR GPS straight-in final approach, the pilot lost control of the aircraft for undetermined reasons. The aircraft then rolled into a bank angle of about 90 degrees, and began to descend toward the terrain with the engine producing power at a very high RPM. The pilot was not successful in making a complete recovery from the loss of control, and during his attempted remedial action, the right wing of the aircraft made contact with the terrain. The aircraft struck the ground numerous times over a distance of 320 feet, ultimately coming to rest with the wings separated from the fuselage at the end of the aforementioned wreckage track. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft and engine by an FAA Airworthiness inspector, as well as a follow-up inspection of the aircraft by the NTSB IIC and the same Airworthiness Inspector, did not reveal any evidence of an engine malfunction or any pre-impact anomaly in the aircraft's structure or flight control system. Due to the extent of his injuries, the pilot did not remember anything about the accident or about being on an approach to the airport.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,518 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 1,455 as pilot in command; 117 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 27 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 1, 2004; 27 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-550-N35B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KOLM Olympia WA at 9:30 pm
- Destination: KCLS Chehalis WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from KTDO, 1 miles away
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.