Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000 accident near Palmer Lake, CO
On March 2, 2016, a Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Palmer Lake, CO. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 2, 2016
- Place
- Palmer Lake, CO
- Aircraft
- Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.117°N, 104.910°W
- NTSB ID
- 20160302X14248
Official records · CEN16FA116
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 2, 2016, about 0800 mountain standard time, a Curtis Wright Travel Air 4000 airplane, N6464, was destroyed when it impacted the ground in an uncontrolled descent near Palmer Lake, Colorado. The pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight; no flight plan had been filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed near the accident site. The flight originated from the Vance Brand Airport, near Longmont, Colorado, about 0715. An acquaintance of the pilot reported that the airplane was en route to a fly-in gathering at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport, Casa Grande, Arizona. A witness, who had about 35 to 40 hours flight experience, reported seeing the airplane flying south over Palmer Lake at a low altitude and low airspeed. He stated that it appeared as if the airplane was making a "low slow scenic pass" over the lake. He said that the airplane was going "pretty slow," but it was flying south into a headwind of about 30 mph. He said that, while flying over the lake, the airplane started a left turn when it was near the south end of the lake at an altitude of about 200 ft above the ground. He said that the turn was about 20° to 30° in bank and that the airplane then "slid" before going out of view behind trees. He stated that as soon as he saw the airplane begin to turn he became very concerned. He drove to the scene and saw the airplane in flames. Another witness reported seeing the airplane headin
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude in strong gusting winds, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to the effects of a sedating antihistamine.
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Browse: Colorado
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
