Nanchang China CJ-6A accident near Walsenburg, Colorado, July 21, 2012
On July 21, 2012 at about 5:35 pm local time, a Nanchang China CJ-6A, registered N96YK, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Walsenburg, Colorado (Spanish Peaks airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while turning from base to final leg in the traffic pattern.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 2012 · about 5:35 pm local time
- Place
- Walsenburg, Colorado · Spanish Peaks · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Nanchang China CJ-6A · all CJ-6As on the register
- Registration
- N96YK · no longer on the register · serial 1232007
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses observed the airplane as it entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and saw the landing gear and flaps configured for landing. They stated that the airplane's airspeed appeared to slow as the airplane turned right toward the runway. According to the witnesses, during the turn, the airplane's bank angle and roll rate increased and directional control of the airplane was lost. The airplane entered a nose-low spiral and rapidly descended. Based on the witness reports of the airplane’s steep bank angle and low altitude, it is likely the airplane stalled during the turn from base-to-final leg in the traffic pattern, and the pilot was unable to regain control before it impacted terrain. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern base)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 50 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 26, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,718 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 14, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 3,086 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Huosai 6JIA (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Jeff Morhet LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Undetermined
- Destination: 4V1 Walsenburg CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 4,506 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KPUB, 38 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN12FA462.