# NTSB CEN09LA165: Cirrus SR22, N486CD, Steamboat Springs, CO, February 14, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 2009, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Steamboat Springs, CO - Coordinates: 40.516387, -106.866386 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5164&lon=-106.8664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 73357 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73357/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73357 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA165 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to apply brakes in a timely manner while landing on a snow-packed, ice-covered runway, and his delay in executing a go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that he received a full weather briefing and that there were no NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) for snow or ice on the runways. The pilot executed a global-positioning-system (GPS) approach to Runway 32. Because the runway has a displaced threshold and because he was flying the GPS approach, his touchdown point was the south runway marker, or 1,000 feet from the runway threshold. The airplane touched down between 80 to 90 knots. The pilot said that he did not apply "hard" brakes because he had been "conditioned to be conservative with the brakes" to avoid overheating them. As he passed a taxiway and started applying the brakes, the airplane hit a patch of ice and turned sideways to the right. The pilot was able to realign the airplane with the runway, but he was approximately 800 to 1,000 feet from the runway's end and still traveling approximately 50 knots. He decided to execute a go-around. As the airplane lifted off, the landing gear struck a snow berm at the end of the runway and the airplane came to rest inverted about 50 feet beyond the end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 2009, approximately 1115 mountain standard time, a Cirrus SR22, N486CD, registered to and operated by Vector Resources LLC, Denver, Colorado, was substantially damaged when, during an attempted go-around, it struck a snow berm and nosed over at Bob Adams Field (SBS), Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed and activated. One passenger, the pilot's wife, received a minor injury, but the pilot and two other passengers, his daughters, were not injured. The cross-country flight originated from Centennial Airport (APA), Englewood, Colorado, approximately 1015, and was en route to SBS. The pilot said he received a full weather briefing from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Service Station (FSS). There were no NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) for snow or ice on the SBS runways. The pilot executed a GPS (Global Positioning System) E approach to runway 32. Because the runway has a displaced threshold and because he was flying the GPS-E approach, his touchdown point was the south runway marker, or 1,000 feet from the runway threshold. The airplane touched down between 80 to 90 knots. The pilot said he did not apply "hard" brakes because he had been "conditioned to be conservative with the brakes" to avoid overheating them. As he passed taxiway B and started applying the brakes, the airplane hit a patch of ice and turned sideways to the right. The pilot was able to realign the airplane with the runway, but he was approximately 800 to 1,000 feet from the runway's end and still traveling approximately 50 knots. He decided to make a go-around. As the airplane lifted off, the landing gear struck a snow berm at the end of the runway and the airplane came to rest inverted about 50 feet beyond the end of the runway. The vertical stabilizer was torn off the airplane, and the horizontal stabilizer was buckled. Both wing tips and the right wing lower skin were buckled. The nose and engine were displaced to the left. Impact forces caused the front seat airbag to deploy. As a result, a team of NTSB survival experts traveled to SBS to examine the airplane and its restraint systems (see SURVIVAL FACTORS FACTUAL REPORT). The airplane was equipped with Avidyne Entegra Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Displays (MFD). The PFD and the compact flash card from the MFD were transported to NTSB's Vehicle Recorder Division for download (see VEHICLE RECORDER FACTUAL REPORT). In addition to graphical presentation, data was pictorially depicted on Google Earth (see attached). This data corroborates the pilot's description of events. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N486CD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N486CD-2017-08-31), registration cancelled 2017-08-31, S/N 1582, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CIRRUS SR22 - Registry model: [Cirrus Design SR22](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr22) (registry code 2130001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1582 - Airframe hours: 866 - Engines: Continental IO-550-N 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Vector Resources LLC - Registered owner: Vector Resources LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 16, 2008, 100 hours before - Departed: APA, Englewood, CO - Destination: SBS, Steamboat Springs, CO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SBS, Bob Adams Field, runway 32, 4,452 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 3, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 722 total, 575 in this make and model, 661 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: SBS ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 27, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73357. 5.2 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report with Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312611&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report%20with%20Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Cockpit Displays - Factual Report (item 2, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cockpit%20Displays%20-%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Cockpit Displays Factual Report Figure 1 Data (item 3, .CSV, 897 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310749&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Cockpit%20Displays%20Factual%20Report%20Figure%201%20Data-Master.csv - Cockpit Displays Factual Report Figure 2 Data (item 4, .CSV, 782 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310750&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Cockpit%20Displays%20Factual%20Report%20Figure%202%20Data%20-Master.csv - Cockpit Displays Factual Report Figure 3 Data (item 5, .CSV, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310751&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Cockpit%20Displays%20Factual%20Report%20Figure%203%20Data%20-Master.csv - Cockpit Displays Factual Report Figure 4 Data (item 6, .CSV, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310752&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Cockpit%20Displays%20Factual%20Report%20Figure%204%20Data%20-Master.csv - Survival Factors Factual Report (item 7, .PDF, 802 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314077&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Survival%20Factors%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Pictoral Presentation of PFD Data (item 8, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313055&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pictoral%20Presentation%20of%20PFD%20Data-Master.PDF - PFD Information, Last 2 Minutes (item 9, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313056&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PFD%20Information,%20Last%202%20Minutes-Master.PDF - Google Earth Representation of PFD Data (item 10, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313098&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Google%20Earth%20Representation%20of%20PFD%20Data-Master.PDF - Reference to General Aviation Airbag Study (item 11, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reference%20to%20General%20Aviation%20Airbag%20Study-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.