Magnus FUSION 212 N434MA

Summary

On 3 April 2021 at about 23:35 local time, a Magnus FUSION 212 registered N434MA was involved in an accident near Conifer, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 April 2021 at 23:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Conifer, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

39.2632, -105.3745

Aircraft

Magnus FUSION 212

Registration

N434MA

Category

Airplane

Year built

2016

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Denver → Denver

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21FA177

1 person died.

The pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude toward a mountainous canyon, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid rising terrain, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot flew the light sport airplane toward a mountainous canyon while at low altitude. When the pilot attempted to turn away from rising terrain in the canyon, the airplane decelerated toward stall speed and impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude that was consistent with a stalled condition. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, empennage, and fuselage. Density altitude at the accident site was 11,365 ft. Post-accident examination of the airplane, as well as downloaded flight data, showed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The pilot started flying about 3 years before the accident and was involved in 2 previous accidents and 4 pilot deviations that involved poor decision making and/or situational awareness. Toxicology testing detected the stimulant amphetamine, the antidepressants bupropion and citalopram, and the chronic nerve pain medication gabapentin. Although these medications can negatively affect psychomotor performance, based on the pilot’s flying history and the circumstances of the accident, it is unlikely they were factors in the accident. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s decision to fly toward a canyon at low altitude in high density altitude conditions, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid terrain, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.