Working record · subject to change
Preliminary narrative
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.