20200905018159A

On September 5, 2020 at 0155Z, N733CD, a Cirrus SR-22, impacted with terrain approxmently 4 nautical miles west of Chester, Arkansas. The aircraft had departed muskogee, Oklahoma at 0127Z on a cross country flight to pickens, south carolina.

At 0149Z N733CD contacted razorback approach requesting flight following. At this time, N7333CD was due south of an isolated thunderstorm complex that was centered over Chester, Arkansas. National weather service radar indicated that the thunderstorm complex consisted of three stationary cells ranging from moderate to extreme intensity approxmently 6 nautical miles in total diameter.

During the initial exchange with air traffic control, N733CD commented that he was entering clouds associated with the thunderstorm complex. At this time, N733CD was on an easterly approxmently 090 degree heading. Razorback approach suggested a 20 degree right hand turn to bring N733CD further from the thunderstorm which N733CD followed.

At approxmently 0153Z, N733CD started a right hand turn with a transmission to razorback approach that he was returning to muskogee, Oklahoma. Air traffic radar indicated that the aircraft continued the right turn past west on to a north north easterly approxmently 345 degree heading. This brought N733CD into the center of the thunderstorm complex over Chester according to weather radar seen by air traffic control.

At approxmently 0155Z razorback approach requested that N733CD make a 20 degree left hand turn to exit the thunderstorm complex. No response was received from the aircraft so razorback approach again requested a left hand turn to a 270 degree heading. N733CD acknowledge this second request and proceeded to make a right hand turn. Air traffic radar and weather radar showed that the right hand turn brought N733CD further into the center of the thunderstorm complex. This was the last radio contact made with N733CD. Radar contract was lost with N733CD at approxmently 0155Z. Air traffic radar indicated that N733CD had completed a right hand 180 degree turn to a southerly approxmently 180 degree heading.

N733CD impacted terrain at 0155Z on a 182 degree heading in a 30 to 45 degree nose down attitude. The aircraft had first ground contact with the forest canopy before impacting the ground surface along a dry creek bed. The debris path indicated a possible right wing low impact followed by the rest of the aircraft. Aircraft debris and ground impact site were consistent with a high speed high energy event. The main impact site consisted of an impact crater roughly oblong in shape with the aircraft dispersed out in a debris field. The lower half of the aircraft fuselage was found within the impact crater along with at least one occupant. The entire aircraft was heavily fragmented and major part identification on site was impractical. Debris consistent with the tail, wing tips, and propeller were all found within the site. The three other occupants were found within the debris field away from the main impact site.

The aircraft ballistic parachute was found still partly in its holding bag with the suspension lines still bundled. The rocket motor was found expended along a nearby hillside. The line cutter explosives were not located among the debris. Both the parachute and motor showed evidence of impact related activation.

Debris field was also contained vertically within the tree canopy. Additionally, the tree canopy showed signs of a flash fuel fire.

Several multifunction display data cards were discovered among the debris and sent to the NTSB data laboratory for possible analysis. Unfortunately, the data cards were to heavily damaged for any data to be gathered. Computer components consistent with an apple ipad, garmin gtn 430, and s-tec 55X autopilot were found but were to heavily damaged to retrieve the memory units. Additionally, due to the year manufacture this aircraft did not contain a flight data recorder.