Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 5, 2023, about 1206 mountain daylight time, a Nanchang China CJ-6A airplane, N4184G, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Peyton, Colorado. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Several witnesses reported observing the accident airplane and another airplane of similar make and model perform low passes and maneuvers together in the vicinity of the Meadow Lake Airport (FLY), Colorado Springs, Colorado.
According to the pilot of the lead airplane, he and the accident pilot were performing an honor flight at the conclusion of a retirement ceremony, which they had discussed the day before. The lead pilot stated that, on the morning of the accident, they briefed the honor flight and completed a practice flight, which included station keeping, overhead breaks, and practice maneuvers. The lead pilot reported that the initial flight of the day went “really well.” He said there was nothing noteworthy regarding that flight, and he knew of no anomalies with the accident airplane.
After a 1-hour break between flights, the lead pilot and the accident pilot taxied their airplanes past the ceremony and completed a preflight run-up for the honor flight. After announcing their intentions over the airport common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF), they departed about 1155. The lead airplane departed first, followed by the accident airplane. After joining up, they returned and executed an overhead pattern with a break. They departed to the east and then returned for a second overhead pattern and a break. Afterward, they completed two low passes, pulled up, and planned to return for one final low pass. The lead pilot reported that they did not perform any aerobatic maneuvers during the honor flight.
A witness who was performing an instructional flight in the traffic pattern reported that, while she was on left downwind for runway 15, she saw the lead airplane perform a low pass down the runway, and the second airplane was ahead of her on the left base. As she transitioned her flight to left base, she observed the second airplane pitch up near vertical and perform an aileron roll, then enter a spin. As the airplane descended in a spin, it passed under her airplane about 500-700 ft above ground level then impacted the ground. She stated that there were no spacing issues between the two airplanes and her flight.
The lead pilot stated that he did not observe the accident but heard a pilot in a Cessna 172 report it over the CTAF. The lead pilot overflew the area but could not locate the accident site and ultimately landed. He stated that the other airplane in the traffic pattern did not affect the honor flight at all.
A witness at the airport reported that he observed the accident airplane pitch up and bank left about 60° to 90° as it transitioned from base to final approach. The airplane then entered a right spin and made one t