CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20 near Indianapolis, IN — 2023-01-24

Final reportCEN23LA093

Date: 2023-01-24
Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA
Airport: TYQ
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20
Registration: N99EC
Category: Airplane
Highest injury: Fatal
Fatalities: 1
Phase of flight: Climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s intentional flight into terrain as an act of suicide.

NTSB narrative

The airplane, rented by the pilot, departed on a reported short cross-country flight. Flight track data showed that after takeoff, the airplane climbed to an altitude of about 1,000 ft above ground level and traveled southeast. Near the end of the flight, the airplane performed a 360° turn and began a rapid descent. The highly fragmented wreckage was located adjacent to a railroad track in a residential area. The airplane damage was consistent with a high angle and high energy impact with terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Following a death investigation, the coroner classified the manner of death as a suicide.