Witness In Another Airplane Reported Accident Airplane Was On Fire In The Traffic Pattern

The NTSB has released a preliminary report from an accident which occurred on May 15 in Loveland, CO that resulted in the fatal injury of the pilot of the Beechcraft Duke airplane.

According to the report, at about 1248 mountain daylight time, a Beech 60, N60RK, collided with terrain while making an emergency descent to Northern Colorado Regional Airport (KFNL), Loveland, CO. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and post-crash fire.

The airplane was registered to Majeste Air LLC, Las Vegas, NV. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the accident site and at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC), Broomfield, CO, about 1230.

Preliminary information indicates the pilot announced over the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that he was on the downwind leg for landing on runway 15. A pilot following N60RK in the traffic pattern announced that the airplane was on fire. N60RK turned towards the runway but impacted the ground next to the airport's perimeter fence. There were several ground witnesses, one of which said the airplane's right wing was on fire.

Examination of the wreckage revealed control continuity and landing gear extension. Flap position could not be determined. The right propeller was in the feathered position, and the fuel selector valve was on the main tanks.

(Source: NTSB. Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: Report