History of Flight
On September 17, 2021, about 0800 central daylight time, a Boeing A75 airplane, N19BB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Delta, Colorado. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The airplane took off from runway 3 at Blake Field Airport (AJZ), Delta, Colorado. Two witnesses observed the airplane climb and begin aerobatic maneuvers about 5 miles northeast of AJZ. Both witnesses reported that the airplane started a loop maneuver, and at the top of the loop while inverted, it entered a flat spin. The airplane recovered from that spin. It then gained altitude and began another loop. At the top of that loop while inverted, it entered another flat spin, from which the pilot did not recover.
The airplane impacted rugged, sloped terrain about 5 miles northeast of AJZ. First responders located the wreckage and notified authorities. No radio or distress calls from the pilot were heard. Witnesses reported hearing the engine running during the descent to impact.
Aircraft Information
According to an acquaintance of the pilot who also witnessed the accident, he and the pilot had flown the airplane to AJZ a few days before the accident flight. The acquaintance stated that the airplane operated normally.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was found resting inverted on a 45-degree sloped hill. The fuselage was oriented downslope and crushed inward from impact forces. The engine was partially separated from its mounts. The empennage was bent rearward, the upper wings were bent upward, and lower wings were separated from their mounting braces, consistent with a flat impact. One blade of the two-bladed propeller was undamaged, while the other was bent aft 45 degrees with no twisting. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces. The engine throttle control was found in the idle position. Engine rotation continuity was confirmed. The smell of fuel was present. The airplane was not equipped with inverted fuel or oil supply systems.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Pathology Group, P.C., Grand Junction, Colorado, performed the pilot’s autopsy as authorized by the Delta County Coroner’s Office. According to the autopsy report, the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries, and the manner of death was accident. The autopsy identified no significant natural disease.
The Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing on postmortem specimens. Diphenhydramine, famotidine, desloratadine, and pseudoephedrine were detected in cavity blood and urine.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the investigation source.