Witness Reported Seeing N4184G Pitch Up And Roll Near Inverted And Then Enter A Spin

Location: Peyton, CO Accident Number: CEN23FA349
Date & Time: August 5, 2023, 12:06 Local Registration: N4184G
Aircraft: Nanchang China CJ-6A Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 5, 2023, about 1206 mountain daylight time, a Nanchang China CJ-6A airplane, N4184G, was  substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Peyton, Colorado. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

Several witnesses observed N4184G and another airplane of similar make and model performing aerobatic maneuvers and formation flight in the vicinity of the Meadow Lake Airport (FLY), Colorado Springs, Colorado. They reported that the two airplanes flew a formation low altitude pass down runway 15 at FLY, separate at the departure end of the runway, and enter a left traffic pattern. One witness reported seeing N4184G pitch up and roll near inverted and then enter a spin, rotating about 1 to 2 rotations before the airplane impacted the ground. Another witness near the accident site stated the airplane was in a right bank nose down descent, and its engine was loud as it descended below the tree line. 

The airplane main wreckage was located in the front lawn area of a residential home about one mile northeast of FYL. Postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted the terrain in a nose and right-wing low attitude and came to rest on a southeast heading about 158 ft from the initial impact area. The engine, propeller, and both wings were separated and located within the debris field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. All major structural components of the airplane were located at the accident location. The wreckage was recovered for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov