Christen A-1 N9599B

Summary

On 5 April 2004 at about 00:30 local time, a Christen A-1 registered N9599B was involved in an accident near Curtis, Nebraska, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 April 2004 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Curtis, Nebraska, United States

Coordinates

40.6375, -100.4711

Aircraft

Christen A-1

Registration

N9599B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Curtis → Wallace

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI04LA100

1 person died.

The pilot's ostentatious display of a "hammerhead stall" during intial climb and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. A factor was the post impact fire.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was destroyed by ground impact and post-impact fire while maneuvering at low altitude after takeoff. A witness reported that he watched and heard the pilot start the airplane and conduct a magneto and propeller check. The witness saw the airplane taxi out and start its takeoff roll to the south. He reported the airplane was in a steep climb and when the airplane stopped climbing, the pilot "kicked the tail around and attempted a hammerhead stall." He reported the airplane did not have enough altitude to recover and it impacted the ground, right wing low. The witness also reported that he did not hear any power change "from takeoff until the plane hit the ground."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.