Thornton RV-6A N39JT

Summary

On 21 May 2009 at about 16:54 local time, a Thornton RV-6A registered N39JT, operated by Jerry D. Thornton, was involved in an accident near Plainwell, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 May 2009 at 16:54

Classification

Accident

Location

Plainwell, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Plainwell Municipal Airport (61D)

Coordinates

42.4678, -85.6478

Aircraft

Thornton RV-6A

Registration

N39JT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jerry D. Thornton

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plainwell → Elkhart

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09LA311

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Several witnesses reported observing the airplane shortly after takeoff flying and executing a number of turns. Prior to impact with terrain, the airplane "barely cleared the trees" and entered a steep left bank. The accident site revealed the left wing impacted terrain and the airplane came to rest upright. A postimpact fire consumed the airplane. Examination of airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. Each pilot had autopsy evidence of coronary artery disease and a previous heart attack, though it is possible that either or both were not aware of their heart disease. The pilot also had a history of a partial lung obstruction and glaucoma, neither of which appeared to have been causing symptoms or was likely to have affected his performance on the day of the accident. In addition, the pilot-rated passenger had recently ingested a medication containing an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine. The investigation, however, could not determine whether impairment or incapacitation affected either pilot.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.