Pilot Debrief

NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-5 near Simla, CO — 2009-07-09

Final reportCEN09FA425
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Date
2009-07-09
Location
Simla, CO, USA
Airport
APA
Aircraft
NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-5
Registration
N212TC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while practicing aerobatic maneuvers and his subsequent failure to recover from an inadvertent spin.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the airplane performing aerobatic maneuvers for approximately 15 minutes. They could not estimate how high the airplane was flying, but indicated it was too high to make out details on the airplane. They observed the airplane pull up vertical and perform a wing over or roll type maneuver. The airplane then entered a spin, which continued until the airplane impacted the ground. A post impact fire erupted immediately after impact. Each witness described the engine running until impact. During examination of the wreckage no anomalies were found with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

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