Accident Details
On October 19, 2025, about 1531 mountain daylight time, a JMB Aircraft VL-3LSA-912, registration N594TT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Erie, Colorado. The pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as an instructional flight.
Witness Observations
Multiple witnesses reported that the flight instructor and pilot were conducting touch-and-go landings on runway 34 at Erie Municipal Airport (KEIK). ADS-B data indicated the airplane performed four circuits consistent with four touch-and-go landings. On the fifth approach, ADS-B data showed the airplane descend to about 5,600 ft msl and then climb back to about 5,800 ft msl before the recording stopped. The airport elevation is 5,119 ft msl.
Several witnesses saw the airplane on approach to runway 34, but it did not touch down. The airplane leveled off and began to climb, consistent with a go-around maneuver. Multiple witnesses at the airport and surrounding areas reported seeing the airplane tumble or flip and then spin to the ground. Surveillance camera footage showed the airplane in a nose-low spin and then impact the ground.
Impact and Wreckage
The airplane impacted the grass east of runway 34 and came to rest on a heading of about 295°. The wreckage included the fuselage, empennage, both wings, engine, and propeller assembly. Both main and nose landing gear were crushed directly beneath the wreckage. The engine and forward fuselage were crushed up and aft. The right wing was partially separated at the wing root and exhibited damage to the composite structure along the length of the wing and at the wing tip. The left wing was partially separated at the wing root and exhibited damage to the composite structure along the length of the wing. The empennage separated from the fuselage and was directly adjacent to the main wreckage.
Parachute System
The GRS Rescue system (airframe parachute) did not deploy during the impact sequence. The safety pin was found secure in the activation handle in the cabin. The ballistic rocket was secured safe and later deployed by local first responders.
Recovery
The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.