THE DTSB
The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot maneuvered his aircraft into the other formation aircraft, and did not maintain a safe distance while in intentional formation flight.
U-FITAQP: 14) MID-AIR COLLISION
Nanchang CJ-6A | N313YK
- DTSB analysis published
Key facts
- DateSeptember 22, 2024
- Local time12:50 PM
- LightDay
- WeatherVMC
- Phase of flightManeuvering
- People on board1
- Fatalities1
- AirportKWVI
- NTSB numberWPR24FA309
- NTSB statusUnder investigation
Accident Location
- City, State
- Watsonville, California
- Latitude
- 34.75
- Longitude
- -118.03333
- Airport ID
- KWVI
Aircraft Info
- N Number
- N313YK
- Make
- Nanchang
- Model
- CJ-6A
- Category / Class
- Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built
- No
Pilot Info
- Pilot in command
- Adams, Ryder
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 62
- Certification
- Private Pilot
- IFR rating
- No
- Medical
- 3rd Class Medical
Analysis
- Weather
- VMC
- Time of day
- Day
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Pilot error
- Yes
- Pilot incapacitation
- No
- People on board
- 1
- PIC fatality
- 1
- Total fatalities
- 1
- NTSB number
- WPR24FA309
- NTSB travel
- Unknown
- AQP category
- 14) MID-AIR COLLISION →
Probable Cause
NTSB
None yet (final report not yet published).
Recommendation
THE DTSB
The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft participating in close formation flights completely brief the flight, and that standard minimum separation values be assigned, and that positive exchange of lead is clearly communicated and confirmed by radio for any lead changes while in flight. The DTSB recommends better formation briefings, more participant awareness, and more training for all formation flight operations.
NTSB
None issued. NTSB recommendations are rare and usually tied to high-profile accidents.
See the NTSB Recommendation Tracker →