Jmb Aircraft VL-3LSA-912 accident near Erie, Colorado, October 19, 2025
On October 19, 2025 at about 9:31 pm local time, a 2023 Jmb Aircraft VL-3LSA-912, registered N594TT, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Erie, Colorado (Erie Muni airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 19, 2025 · about 9:31 pm local time
- Place
- Erie, Colorado · Erie Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Jmb Aircraft VL-3LSA-912, built 2023
- Registration
- N594TT · registry record · serial VL-3-521
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On October 19, 2025, about 1531 mountain daylight time, a JMB Aircraft VL-3LSA-912, N594TT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Erie, Colorado. The pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. According to multiple witnesses, the flight instructor and pilot were doing touch and go landings on runway 34, at the Erie Municipal Airport (KEIK), Erie, Colorado. ADS-B data showed the airplane conduct four circuits consistent with 4 touch-and-go landings on runway 34. On the 5th approach, ADS-B data showed the airplane descend to about 5,600 ft mean sea level (msl) and then climb back to about 5,800 ft msl before the recording stopped. The airport elevation at KEIK is 5,119 ft msl. Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane on approach to runway 34; however, the airplane did not touch down. The airplane leveled off and started to climb, consistent with a go-around maneuver. Multiple witnesses located both at the airport and surrounding the airport reported seeing the airplane tumble or flip and then spin to the ground. Surveillance camera footage showed the airplane in a nose-low spin and then impact the ground. The airplane impacted the grass to the east of runway 34 and came to rest on a heading of about 295°. The wreckage included the fuselage, empennage, both wings, engine, and propeller assembly. Both the main and nose landing gear were crushed directly beneath the wreckage. The engine and forward fuselage were crushed up and aft. The right wing was partially separated at the wing root and exhibited damage to the composite structure along the length of the wing and at the wing tip. The left wing was partially separated at the wing root and exhibited damage to the composite structure along the length of the wing. The empennage separated from the fuselage and was directly adjacent the main wreckage. The GRS Rescue system (airframe parachute) did not deploy during the impact sequence. The safety pin was found secure in the activation handle in the cabin of the airplane. The ballistic rocket was secured safe and later deployed by local first responders. The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.
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 final) defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 560.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 6, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: KEIK Erie CO at 9:05 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16/3, 4,700 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 23°F (-5°C), dew point -5°F (-21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 3:32 pm from KEIK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.