History of Flight
On June 23, 2013, at about 0811 mountain daylight time, an experimental exhibition Nanchang China CJ-6 airplane, registration N2726C, impacted terrain while maneuvering near Wolcott, Colorado. The private pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial fuselage damage. The flight was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual flight rules conditions prevailed, and no VFR flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) near Eagle, Colorado, at about 0757.
Witnesses living near the accident site reported that the pilot flew over their houses. One witness, a friend of the pilot, indicated the pilot flew low enough to be identified. The pilot performed a second flyby. Another witness reported that the airplane flew south, then climbed in a counter-clockwise rotation, attempted to "go upside down" and fly west, then descended below sight. The witness's wife called 911, and the witness ran to the site to await first responders.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 70, held an FAA private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating and a third-class medical certificate issued August 30, 2012, with a near-vision-lenses restriction. He reported 1,180 total flight hours, with 15 hours in the previous six months, and was using Tamsulosin. His logbook showed 1,200.1 total hours, 5.4 hours in the prior 90 days, 2.6 in the prior 30 days, and 120.1 hours in the CJ-6.
The pilot-rated passenger, age 69, held a commercial pilot certificate with single- and multi-engine land and instrument ratings. He did not have a current medical certificate on file with the FAA.
Aircraft Information
N2726C was a Nanchang CJ-6 (serial number 5232007), manufactured in 1991. Its amended special airworthiness certificate in the experimental exhibition category was issued November 16, 2010. The airplane was equipped with an M-14P radial engine (serial number KR322012) driving a model B530TA propeller. The last yearly condition inspection was conducted June 17, 2012, at which time the airframe had 2,697.18 total hours and the engine had 62.8 hours since new.
Meteorological Information
At 0750, the recorded weather at EGE was: wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky clear; temperature 11°C; dew point -4°C; altimeter 30.12 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted terrain near the intersection of Horse Mountain Ranch Road and Elk Ridge Road. A ground mark indicated initial impact and a slide of about 100 feet, after which the airplane became airborne again and came to rest about 162 feet from the first impact point. An FAA inspector examined the wreckage, confirmed control continuity for all examinable components, and noted fuel was aboard.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies on both occupants listed the cause of death as multiple injuries. The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute prepared toxicology reports. For the pilot, Tamsulosin was detected in muscle and liver. Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker used for benign prostatic hyperplasia. For the passenger, putrefaction was noted; ethanol was detected in urine (44 mg/dL), muscle (28 mg/dL), and brain (25 mg/dL).