CEN09FA425

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 erupted immediately after impact. Each witness described the engine running until impact. During examination of the wreckage no anomalies were found with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation.

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 airplane impacted in arural grass pasture. Examination of the airplane showed the fuselage from the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer forward to the engine firewall mostly consumed by fire. The inboard half of the left wing and the inboard four feet of the right wing were mostly consumed by fire. All flight control surfaces were present in the wreckage and flight control cable continuity was verified from all flight control surfaces to the forward cockpit floor. Damage to the wreckage prevented the verification of flight control continuity from the cockpit floor to the forward control stick and rudder pedals. The engine and pitot tube were imbedded in the ground at a 55 degree angle. Propeller blade A was protruding from the ground in a vertical position and attached to the propeller hub. The outboard third of blade A was bent aft about 45 degrees, had chord wise scratches, and the leading edge was polished. The propeller hub and blade B were imbedded in the ground on initial inspection. Once removed from the ground, blade B was bent aft against the lower engine cylinders and leading edge polishing was present. No anomalies were found with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The El Paso County coroner, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, performed an autopsy on the pilot on July 10, 2009. The cause of death was attributed to thermal injuries and blunt force trauma. The FAA, Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. Testing for carbon monoxide and cyanide were not performed. No volatiles or drugs were detected: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The USAF Flight Handbook for the T-6G (an Air Force derivative of the SNJ-5), AN 01-60FFA-1, stated the minimum altitude for intentionally entering a spin is 10,000 feet above ground level. Normally certificated SNJ-5 airplanes (non-military) were not certified to perform spins.