Nanchang CJ-6 accident near Mesa, Arizona, December 2, 2014
On December 2, 2014 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1968 Nanchang CJ-6, registered N4350D, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Mesa, Arizona (Falcon Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power during takeoff following a touch-and-go landing for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 2014 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Mesa, Arizona · Falcon Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Nanchang CJ-6 A, built 1968 · all CJ-6s on the register
- Registration
- N4350D · no longer on the register · serial 2232013
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot was performing touch-and-go landings. The preflight, run-up, and takeoff were all normal. The pilot reported that, after the first landing, she added power to take off, and once there was no usable runway remaining, she raised the landing gear. At 100 ft above ground level, the engine went silent. The pilot picked a clear area to fly toward and lowered the landing gear. Witnesses stated that the airplane landed hard, bounced, and then landed again. The airplane subsequently impacted a trailer and a large pole and then came to rest inverted. During the accident sequence, the right wing was separated from the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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 engine power (total) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,323 hours in all; 182 in this make and model; 109 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 1,473 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,908.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 2, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 3,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Vedeneyev M-14P (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KFFZ Mesa AZ
- Destination: KFFZ Mesa AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22L, 5,101 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 20,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from KFFZ
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.
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.