Amateur-built Christen Eagle II N222ET accident near Clearwater, Minnesota

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and his improper decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers without proper experience or training in aerobatic flight. Also causal was his conduct of aerobatic flight in an airplane loaded outside its weight and balance limits.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers with a passenger aboard when the airplane reportedly entered a spiraling dive. The pilot began to recover from the dive about 500 feet above the ground; however, the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane weight and balance information was not recovered, but a reported estimate indicated that the airplane was being flown above the maximum weight and beyond the aft center gravity limits for aerobatic flight. Neither the pilot nor the passenger were wearing parachutes as required for aerobatic flight. Additionally, the pilot had no reported experience or training for aerobatic flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10LA491 for the full record.