Nanchang China CJ-6A accident near Peyton, Colorado, August 5, 2023
On August 5, 2023 at about 6:06 pm local time, a 1965 Nanchang China CJ-6A, registered N4184G, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (aerobatics) near Peyton, Colorado (Meadow Lake Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while intentionally maneuvering in a steep bank at low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall/spin and subsequent loss of airplane control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 2023 · about 6:06 pm local time
- Place
- Peyton, Colorado · Meadow Lake Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Nanchang China CJ-6A, built 1965 · all CJ-6As on the register
- Registration
- N4184G · registry record · serial 1332008
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident occurred during a prebriefed honor flight, performed at the conclusion of a retirement ceremony, that involved two airplanes of similar make and model flying low passes and maneuvers. Witnesses reported that the accident airplane, which was positioned behind the lead airplane, pitched up near vertical and rolled as it transitioned from the base to final leg of the airport traffic pattern. During the maneuver, the airplane entered a spiraling nose-down descent and impacted the ground. Both pilots had flown the airplanes uneventfully earlier that day. Although the lead pilot reported that they did not perform any aerobatic maneuvers during the accident flight, the accident airplane’s near-vertical climb and roll, as reported by the witnesses, was consistent with aerobatic flight. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted the ground in a nose-low and right wing-low attitude and came to rest on a southeast heading about 158 ft from the initial impact area. The engine, propeller, and both wings were separated and located within the debris field. All major structural components of the airplane were located at the accident location. Examination revealed no anomalies with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation. Damage signatures and witness accounts indicate that the engine was producing power at the time of the accident. Toxicology testing revealed that the pilot had an elevated HbA1c and urine glucose, with an HbA1c level indicative of uncontrolled diabetes with chronically elevated blood sugar. Symptoms of high blood sugar may include fatigue and blurred vision; in severe cases, high blood sugar can be associated with severe metabolic disturbances that can lead to altered consciousness. However, whether the pilot was experiencing significant impairing effects of his uncontrolled diabetes at the time of the accident could not be determined from the available medical evidence.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (aerobatics) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Last flight review: September 18, 2021
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,976.3 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 1, 2023; 39.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Housai MDL-H6A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Kflyin LLC
The flight
- Departed from: FLY Colorado Springs CO at 5:55 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15/3, 6,001 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,600 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 12:15 pm from FLY, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KFLY 051815Z AUTO 19007KT 10SM SCT026 23/13 A3031 RMK AO2 T02300132
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
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 docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site 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 CEN23FA349.