Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 9, 2009, about 1255 mountain daylight time, a North American SNJ-5 model experimental airplane, N212TC, was destroyed following impact with terrain near Simla, Colorado. A post impact fire ensued. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The local flight originated at Centennial Airport (APA), Denver, Colorado, and was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

Four witnesses observed the airplane performing aerobatic maneuvers for approximately 15 minutes. They could not estimate how high the airplane was flying, but indicated it was too high to make out details on the airplane. They observed the airplane pull up vertical and perform a wing over or roll type maneuver. The airplane then entered a spin, which continued until the airplane impacted the ground. A post impact fire ensued immediately after impact. Each witness described the engine running until impact.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 41, held an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane single-engine sea, airplane multi-engine land, and airplane multi-engine sea. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class medical certificate was issued on July 8, 2009, with no limitations.

An examination of the pilot's logbook indicated a total flight time of 2,232 hours; 1,766 hours in single-engine airplanes, and 637 hours in the accident type airplane. He logged 36 hours in the previous 90 days and 11 hours in the previous 30 days. His last noted biannual flight review was completed December 13, 2007.

The pilot regularly performed at air shows, held a waiver for low altitude aerobatics, and was race certified at the Reno National Air Races in the T-6 class.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The 1944-model North American SNJ-5, serial number 12141732, was a low wing experimental airplane, with retractable main landing gear, and was configured for two occupants sitting in tandem. The airplane was powered by a Pratt and Whitney R1340-AN1 engine, serial number 42-12672, rated at 550 horsepower, and driving a two bladed Hamilton Standard variable pitch propeller.

The last airframe inspection was an annual type, conducted on July 19, 2008, with a tachometer time of 608.2 hours and 4,777.5 total airframe hours. The last engine inspection was an annual type, conducted on July 19, 2008, with a tachometer time of 608.2 hours and 672.1 hours since the last overhaul.

According to an acquaintance of the pilot, the airplane’s horizontal tail had been replaced with an SNJ-2 (AT-6) horizontal tail at an undetermined time.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Weather at APA at 1253 was reported as 71 degrees Fahrenheit, winds variable at six miles per hour, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 7,000 feet, and scattered clouds at 12,000 feet.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The