Pilot Debrief

NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6 near Justin, TX — 2009-01-03

Final reportCEN09FA115
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Date
2009-01-03
Location
Justin, TX, USA
Airport
16X
Aircraft
NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6
Registration
N99YK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering on approach, which resulted in an accelerated stall and subsequent loss of control.

NTSB narrative

After leading a three-ship formation to the destination airport, and while in pattern to land, the lead airplane was observed to be in a very steep right turn that immediately turned to a near vertical nose-down descent. The airplane then impacted terrain in a near vertical nose-down attitude. A postimpact fire consumed portions of the cockpit, fuselage, right aileron, left elevator, rudder, and vertical fin. Prevailing winds were from 40 degrees from runway heading at 10 knots gusting to 19 knots. The investigation could not determine if the wind conditions contributed to the pilot's decision to use a steeper-than-normal bank angle. federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circulatory 61-67C informs pilots that accelerated stall can occur at higher-than-normal airspeed if there are abrupt and/or excessive control inputs such as during steep turns. An examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided steep turn leading to loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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