Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Nanchang CJ-6A, N96YK: Accident occurred July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, Colorado

http://registry.faa.gov/N96YK

NTSB Identification: CEN12FA462
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, CO
Aircraft: NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6A, registration: N96YK
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 21, 2012, about 1135 mountain daylight time, an experimental Nanchang China CJ-6A airplane, N96YK, impacted terrain near the Spanish Peaks Airfield (4V1), Walsenburg, Colorado. The private pilot and the passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from an undetermined location and was en route to 4V1.

The pilot was flying to 4V1 to join three other airplanes for a formation flight. The other pilots in the formation were already at the airfield waiting for the accident pilot and observed the accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane approached the airfield from the north, overflew the midpoint of the runway, and entered the downwind leg for a right base turn to runway 8. The airplane was observed to lower the landing gear and extend the flap. The witnesses perceived the airplane’s airspeed to slow as it started a right bank turn that quickly increased in bank angle and roll rate. The witnesses described the airplane in a spin or nose low spiral as it descended and impacted terrain.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 43, held a private pilot certificate for airplane single engine land. The pilot’s most recent flight review was accomplished on July 26, 2012. On July 11, 2011, the pilot was issued a third class medical certificate without limitations. On his medical certificate application, the pilot reported having accumulated 420 total hours with 70 hours in the preceding six months. The pilot is reported to have logged at least 50-60 hours in the CJ-6A and the pilot’s total time is estimated about 500 hours.

The pilot was a member of the Red Star Pilots Association, and received familiarity training in the CJ-6A to include an introduction to the airplane’s stall characteristics. Other than the introduction flight, it is unknown how often, or how recent, the pilot may have practiced stall recognition and recovery flight exercises in the CJ-6A.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The tandem two-seat, low wing, single engine Nanchang China CJ-6A airplane, serial number 1232007, was manufactured in 1973. It was powered by a 285 horsepower Huosai 6JIA air-cooled radial engine driving a Nanchang J9G1, metal, two-blade propeller. The airplane was originally manufactured in China for use as a military trainer. The airplane was exported and registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the experimental category for exhibition purposes. On March 14, 2012, the airplane’s most recent inspection was conducted in accordance with FAR 43 Appendix D, at an airframe total time of 2,717.5 hours and an engine total time of 677.5 hours.

Registration documents filed with the FAA show that the pilot acquired the airplane on March 14, 2012.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 1153 mountain daylight time, an automated weather reporting station located at Pueblo Memorial Airport (KPUB), Pueblo, Colorado, approximately 38 nautical miles north of the accident site, reported wind from 200 degrees and 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, skies clear, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 45 F, and a barometric pressure of 30.18 inches of mercury.

Density altitude was calculated to be 9,170 feet.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

The Spanish Peaks Airfield, K4V1, is a non-towered airfield located at an elevation of 6,056 feet. It had two runways: 8-26, and 3-21; the intended landing was to runway 8.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The accident site was located in an open field with sparse vegetation. The site was about 0.3 nautical miles southwest of runway 8. The wreckage was generally aligned on a magnetic heading of 195 degrees. With the exception of small items, the wreckage was confirmed to a small area. Impact signatures were consistent with a nose-low, near vertical impact. The leading edges of both wings displayed accordion-style, rearward, crushing. When compared, the right wing displayed a greater amount of tearing and crushing than the left wing. The forward portion of the fuselage was crushed aft. The empennage was twisted clockwise about 90 degrees and bent to the right. The vertical stabilizer was deformed and bent to the right. The left elevator was torn at the trim tab. The right vertical stabilizer and elevator were crushed and wrinkled. The flap was found in the retracted position. The landing gear was in the extended position. Flight control continuity was established from the flight controls surfaces to the cockpit controls.

Both metal propeller blades remained attached in the propeller hub. In addition, both blades displayed leading edge polishing, curling, and chord-wise scratches. The propeller blades were labeled A and B for documentation purposes only. Blade A was bent about 90 degrees rearward near the 1/3 of the blade’s span. Blade B displayed S-bending.

The cockpit instrumentation was impact damaged and largely unreadable, with numerous components separated from their positions. The landing gear handle was found in the down position and the flap handle in the up (or retracted) position.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was conducted on the pilot by the El Paso County Coroner, as authorized by the Huerfano County Coroner. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. The manner of death was ruled an accident.

Forensic toxicology was performed on specimens from the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The specimens provided were not suitable for the testing of carbon monoxide or cyanide. No drugs were detected in the specimens. Ethanol was detected, but was determined to be from sources other than ingestion.

NTSB Identification: CEN12FA462
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, CO
Aircraft: NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6A, registration: N96YK
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On July 21, 2012, about 1130 mountain daylight time, an experimental Nanchang CJ-6A airplane, N96YK, impacted terrain near the Spanish Peaks Airfield (K4V1), Walsenburg, Colorado. The private pilot and the passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from an undetermined location and was destined for K4V1.

The pilot was flying to K4V1 to join three other airplanes for a formation flight. The other pilots in the formation were already at the airfield waiting for the pilot and observed the accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane approached the airfield from the north, overflew the midpoint of the runway and entered the downwind for a right base turn to runway 8. The airplane lowered the landing gear and flap prior to initiating the base turn. The airplane was then observed to slow and start a right bank turn that continued to increase in bank angle and roll rate. The airplane quickly descended and impacted terrain.



 NTSB Identification: CEN12FA462 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, CO
Aircraft: NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6A, registration: N96YK
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On July 21, 2012, about 1130 mountain daylight time, an experimental Nanchang CJ-6A airplane, N96YK, impacted terrain near the Spanish Peaks Airfield (K4V1), Walsenburg, Colorado. The private pilot and the passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from an undetermined location and was destined for K4V1.

The pilot was flying to K4V1 to join three other airplanes for a formation flight. The other pilots in the formation were already at the airfield waiting for the pilot and observed the accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane approached the airfield from the north, overflew the midpoint of the runway and entered the downwind for a right base turn to runway 8. The airplane lowered the landing gear and flap prior to initiating the base turn. The airplane was then observed to slow and start a right bank turn that continued to increase in bank angle and roll rate. The airplane quickly descended and impacted terrain.


 
 Jeff Morhet
 Charlie Leight/The Republic

COURTESY PHOTO/GERALD JERANT
 Two people were killed when a plane crashed Saturday at Spanish Peaks Airfield near Walsenburg.

An Arizona biotechnology entrepreneur and his 9-year-old son died Saturday when a small plane crashed in southern Colorado.

Jeff Morhet, 43, and Jackson Morhet, 9, both died when the small plane crashed about 5:30p.m. during an attempted landing near the Spanish Peaks Airfield north of Walsenburg, Colo., the Pueblo Chieftain reported.

The Morhets were the only passengers on the Nanchang CJ-6A aircraft when it crashed about a half-mile west of the airport, according to Federal Aviation Administration Spokesman Allen Kenitzer and Huerfano County, Colo., officials.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating details of the crash.

The aircraft took off from an airport in Grand Junction, Colo., and sought to land at the Spanish Peaks Airfield general aviation airport, possibly to refuel. The Morhets planned to fly from Colorado to the 2012 EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, according to the Chieftain.

The annual air show, which will run through Sunday, has more than 10,000 aircraft anticipated for the event. About 2,500 aircraft are considered show planes that are judged in 11 different categories, according to event spokesman Dick Knapinski.

Knapinski said he did not know whether Morhet planned to enter his aircraft in the annual event, but he said the Nanchang CJ-6A is the type of aircraft that may qualify for the air show's "Warbirds" category for military-style aircraft.

Records show the 1973 Nanchang aircraft was registered to a Baseline Road address in Mesa.

The aircraft had an "experimental" airworthiness certificate and its approved operations were for exhibition purposes, according to the aircraft's registration.

The Arizona Technology Council, the state Department of Commerce and then-Gov. Janet Napolitano named Morhet the Ed Denison Business Arizona Leader of the Year in 2008 for his work in the Arizona biotech community and as CEO of InNexus Biotechnology, an early-stage company. More recently, Morhet launched a new life-sciences company, Diomics Corp., with offices in La Jolla, Calif., and Chandler.

Morhet was paid by Chandler to help advise, review and launch the the city's Innovations technology incubator.

The lab has attracted a number of technology and early-stage research companies.

Chandler Economic Development Director Christine Mackay said that Morhet "did a tremendous job for the city. ... I am so sorry for his family."

Mackay said that Morhet had four children with his wife, Deirdre Morhet, who could not be reached for comment.

Leaders of Arizona's biotechnology industry said that Morhet was an important member of the community. 

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com 

http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmorhet


http://www.bizjournals.com

 WALSENBURG — Two people killed in a plane crash Saturday have been identified as Jeff Morhet and his son, Jackson Morhet, both of Mesa, Ariz.

 Jeff Morhet was 43 and Jackson was 9, according to Huerfano County Sheriff's Office Lt. Milan Rapo.

The crash occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m.

 Jeff Morhet was piloting a two-seat Nanchang CT-68 and making his approach to land when something went wrong and the plane crashed in a field about a half mile from the runway at Spanish Peaks Airfield north of town.

 The Morhets were traveling from Grand Junction with three other planes that planned to refuel in Walsenburg before continuing to an air show in Oshkosh, Wis. 

Read the full story in digital edition.
 
FAA IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 96YK        Make/Model: CJ6       Description: CJ-6, PT-6
  Date: 07/21/2012     Time: 1730

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: Fatal     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
  City: WALSENBURG   State: CO   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON FINAL APPROACH. SPANISH PEAK, CO

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   2
                 # Crew:   0     Fat:   1     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   1     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    


OTHER DATA
  Activity: Unknown      Phase: Approach      Operation: OTHER


  FAA FSDO: DENVER, CO  (NM03)                    Entry date: 07/23/2012 

http://registry.faa.gov/N96YK