Thornton RV-6A accident near Plainwell, MI
On May 21, 2009, a Thornton RV-6A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Plainwell, MI. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 21, 2009
- Place
- Plainwell, MI
- Aircraft
- Thornton RV-6A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 42.468°N, 85.648°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090522X23017
Official records · CEN09LA311
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 21, 2009, at 1254 eastern daylight time, a Thornton RV-6A experimental amateur-built airplane, N39JT, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering shortly after takeoff from the Plainwell Municipal Airport (61D), Plainwell, Michigan. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight from Plainwell to Elkhart, Indiana, was originating at the time of the accident. According to local authorities, the pilot and passenger were seen at a local Plainwell restaurant prior to the accident flight. Restaurant personnel, who spoke with the pilot and passenger, stated that the pilot and passenger flew up from Elkhart to have lunch at the restaurant and then planned on returning back to Elkhart after lunch. During the conversation, the pilot mentioned that the flight from Elkhart took approximately 30 minutes and the airplane used 8 gallons of fuel during the flight. After lunch, the pilot and passenger left the restaurant. Several witnesses observed different portions of the accident flight. A couple of witnesses reported that they observed the airplane initially heading north after takeoff from 61D and then making a turn to the west. The airplane then lost altitude and dropped approximately 20 feet. One witness stated the airplane "regained control." The airplane flew straight and then started to make a series of turns with cha
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons.
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Browse: Michigan
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
