Pilot Debrief

CIRRUS SR20 near Chapel Hill, NC — 2010-07-12

Final reportERA10FA356
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Date
2010-07-12
Location
Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Airport
IGX
Aircraft
CIRRUS SR20
Registration
N527MJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and subsequent improper go-around procedure, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and collision with a tree.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the airplane overfly the runway and enter a left traffic pattern. The airplane appeared to be faster than they were accustomed to seeing small airplanes operating. The airplane touched down hard on the runway surface and bounced several times before departing off the left side into the grass. The engine was described by the witnesses as operating at full power and the airplane appeared to by flying about 60 to 70 mph. The nose of the airplane was observed in a 45-degree nose up attitude and then leveled out back onto the ground. The airplane traveled 840 feet until the left wing collided with a tree and the airplane spun to the left and collided with the airport perimeter fence. The left and right flaps were in the retracted position. The Pilot's Operating Handbook for the airplane stated that the flaps are required to be extended 50 percent for a balked landing/go-around. No anomalies were noted during the examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly, and accessories.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after initial bounce.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 41 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents41

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