Sukhoi SU-29 N29RP

Summary

On 14 May 1993 at about 18:45 local time, a Sukhoi SU-29 registered N29RP was involved in an accident near Fountain, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 May 1993 at 18:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Fountain, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

38.6610, -104.6893

Aircraft

Sukhoi SU-29

Registration

N29RP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Colo. Springs → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN93LA058

1 person was seriously injured.

FAILURE OF BOTH THE PILOT IN COMMAND AND THE SAFETY PILOT TO RELINQUISH CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE SAFETY PILOT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT ROLLED THE AIRPLANE INVERTED, THEN UPRIGHT. THE AIRPLANE PITCHED DOWN AND THE PILOT PULLED THE POWER BACK, HALF ROLLED THE AIRPLANE, AND PUSHED THE CONTROL STICK FORWARD. WHEN THIS FAILED, THE PILOT HALF ROLLED THE AIRPLANE AGAIN AND PULLED THE TRIM TAB IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE'S RATE OF DESCENT. WHEN THIS HAD NO EFFECT, THE PILOT JETTISONED THE CANOPY AND HE AND THE SAFETY PILOT BAILED OUT. A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE INSTRUCTOR WHO HAD GIVEN THE PILOT INSTRUCTION IN THE AIRPLANE SURMISED THAT UNBEKNOWNST TO THE TWO PILOTS, THEY HAD PROBABLY OPERATED THE CONTROLS AGAINST EACH OTHER'S INPUT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.