What happened
On 28 August 2023, a private flight involving a Christen Eagle II, registration LN-TBN, ended in a fatal accident near Reinsvoll airfield in Innlandet, Norway. The flight was intended as a sightseeing tour and aerobatic demonstration for a passenger. After taking off at 18:17 hrs, the aircraft performed several aerobatic maneuvers, including loops and a roll, over the airfield.
Following these maneuvers, the aircraft flew south for approximately 2–3 km before initiating a turn back toward the airfield. During this phase, witnesses reported hearing the engine sputter briefly. Shortly thereafter, as the aircraft turned westward, observers noted that the nose suddenly pitched down. Some witnesses also reported hearing a loud bang immediately preceding the descent. The aircraft subsequently struck trees in a forest roughly 550 meters south of the runway 3/4 threshold. The impact resulted in two fatalities, as both the pilot and the passenger died from head and chest injuries.
The investigation
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) examined the technical, operational, and human factors surrounding the crash. The investigation looked into the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's medical fitness, and the aircraft's weight and balance.
Investigators found that the pilot held a valid license for aerobatic flight and showed no signs of sudden medical impairment. While the aircraft's center of gravity was calculated to be outside the recommended limits for aerobatic maneuvers due to the specific weights of the occupants, it remained within the limits for normal flight. The investigation also noted that the passenger's shoulder harness was not properly secured to the seat crossmember, which subsequently failed during the impact.
Findings
- The exact cause of the sudden nose pitch-down remains undetermined, as no specific technical failures in the engine, ignition, or fuel systems were identified.
- The sudden pitch-down maneuver may have been an unintentional response to a loss of engine power or an attempt to establish a best glide airspeed following an engine issue.
- The engine was running and the propeller was rotating at the time of impact, though the full power output could not be confirmed.
- A limited forward field of view, caused by the passenger's position in the front seat, may have hindered the pilot's ability to detect the approaching trees.
- The aircraft's weight and balance was within limits for normal flight but outside the parameters for aerobatic operations.