On December 19, 2004, an American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB (registration N992RS) operated by Harvey And Rihn Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Texas City, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of control during an inverted flight maneuver at low altitude. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot attempting to roll an aircraft upright after flying inverted at low altitude struck the ground with a wing, resulting in airframe damage.
What happened
A witness positioned near the accident site observed the 370-hour private pilot operating the aircraft in an inverted attitude. The flight occurred at an approximate altitude of 50 feet above ground level and continued for a distance of roughly 250 yards. As the pilot initiated a maneuver to roll the airplane back to an upright position, one of the wings made contact with the ground.
The investigation
Following the incident, investigators examined the airframe to determine if mechanical failure played a role in the event. The examination did not reveal any anomalies or defects that could have contributed to the accident.
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control during an inverted flight maneuver at low altitude.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 19 Dec 2004 American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB accident near Texas City, TX?
A private pilot attempting to roll an aircraft upright after flying inverted at low altitude struck the ground with a wing, resulting in airframe damage.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 19 Dec 2004 involved an American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB, registration N992RS, operated by Harvey And Rihn Aviation, at Texas City, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's loss of control during an inverted flight maneuver at low altitude.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…