Landing / Ground Loss of Control · NTSB ERA10FA347
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22 — Fairfield, NJ
| Date | July 5, 2010 |
| Location | Fairfield, NJ |
| Aircraft | CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Landing-flare/touchdown Hard landing |
| Pilot age | 70 |
| Pilot total time | 885 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | 287 hrs |
| Fatalities | 3 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-TE flap control system-Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot - F
What happened
After the pilot reported she was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, witnesses observed the airplane higher than normal on the final approach, which was confirmed by radar data. The airplane landed long and bounced on the runway, followed by a go around. During the go around, witnesses observed the airplane pitch up and enter a left turn. The nose of the airplane then dropped, indicative of a loss of control. The airplane impacted the ground in a steep, nose low attitude about one-half mile north of the airport. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of a pre-impact mechanical malfunction or failure. The wing flaps were found in the fully extended (100 percent) position at impact. The airplane's Pilot Operating Handbook stated that, in a go around situation, the flaps should be retracted to 50 percent during the go around, then fully retracted once obstacles are cleared.