Nanchang China CJ-6A N96YK

Summary

On 21 July 2012 at about 17:35 local time, a Nanchang China CJ-6A registered N96YK, operated by Jeff Morhet LLC, was involved in an accident near Walsenburg, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 July 2012 at 17:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Walsenburg, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Spanish Peaks (4V1)

Coordinates

37.6950, -104.7964

Aircraft

Nanchang China CJ-6A

Registration

N96YK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jeff Morhet LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Undetermined → Walsenburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12FA462

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while turning from base to final leg in the traffic pattern.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the airplane as it entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and saw the landing gear and flaps configured for landing. They stated that the airplane's airspeed appeared to slow as the airplane turned right toward the runway. According to the witnesses, during the turn, the airplane's bank angle and roll rate increased and directional control of the airplane was lost. The airplane entered a nose-low spiral and rapidly descended. Based on the witness reports of the airplane’s steep bank angle and low altitude, it is likely the airplane stalled during the turn from base-to-final leg in the traffic pattern, and the pilot was unable to regain control before it impacted terrain. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.