Pilot Debrief

CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22 near Tuscaloosa, AL — 2010-05-11

Final reportERA10FA259
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Date
2010-05-11
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
Airport
TCL
Aircraft
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22
Registration
N424LF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and collision with the ground.

NTSB narrative

The pilot contacted the air traffic control tower and reported that he was 12 miles from the airport and had the intention of performing a full-stop landing. The pilot contacted the tower a short time later and stated that he had the airport in sight, but was too close, and needed to make a 360-degree turn to lose altitude. After completing the turn, the controller observed the airplane left of the final approach path. It then made a turn, aligning it right of course. The airplane was about 50 feet from the end of the runway when the left wing dipped and the airplane flipped over, colliding with the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. According to the manufacturer, the airplane will stall at an indicated airspeed of about 72 knots in a 45-degree angle of bank. The airplane's last recorded bank angle on the primary flight display was about 48 degrees left-wing down and the airspeed was about 63 knots.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to execute a go-around instead of attempting to land.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents40

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