CEN21FA277

A witness reported that he heard the accident pilot report an emergency landing on runway 2, which was not a runway at the accident airport. Shortly thereafter, he observed the airplane make a left turn and it overflew the runway. He stated that the airplane appeared “crazy fast.” The airplane then entered a steep left bank and spun 1 ½ rotations before impacting the ground. During the impact sequence, the airframe parachute deployed, and the canopy was found still bundled in a straight line away from the wreckage. A postaccident examination revealed the pitot tube cover remained secured on the pitot tube with a “REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT” banner attached. Toxicology testing detected an antidepressant and a mood stabilizing medication in the pilot’s blood and urine. These medications and the associated medical conditions for which they are prescribed can negatively impact judgment and psychomotor performance. However, the investigation was unable to obtain psychiatric records to determine the severity of the conditions for which the pilot was being treated. Also, given the pilot’s skill and experience in this model airplane, the investigation was unable to distinguish between deficits in his capabilities and signs of his psychiatric illness. Thus, this investigation was unable to determine whether the effects from the pilot’s use of the medications or his psychiatric condition were factors in the accident.

The Cirrus Design SR20 Pilot’s Operating Handbook contained a description for the conduct of a preflight inspection under the normal procedures section. That procedure contained the following: 12. Left Wing Tip b. Pitot Mast (underside) ................. Cover Removed, Tube Clear On June 18, 2021, about 1357 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR20 airplane, N62WR, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident at Conway Regional Airport (CXW), Conway, Arkansas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness reported that after the airplane departed runway 22 at CXW, he heard a transmission over the Universal Integrated Communications (UNICOM) frequency that stated, “six-two whiskey romeo emergency landing runway 2.” There is no runway 2 at CXW. Shortly thereafter, he observed the accident airplane make a left turn and overfly runway 4 and stated that the airplane appeared “crazy fast.” After the airplane overflew runway 4, it entered a steep left bank, made 1 1/2 rotations and then impacted the ground. Recovered GPS data from the airplane revealed that the highest altitude achieved on the flight was 593 ft above ground level (agl) when the airplane was on a crosswind leg in the traffic pattern. The airplane then began a continuous descent until impact. The downwind leg was flown about 0.1 nautical mile south of the runway (see figure 1). Figure 1: Pictorial view of flight path Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Forensic Sciences Laboratory toxicology testing detected the antidepressant bupropion at 6,618 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) and its metabolite hydroxybupropion at 444 ng/mL in the pilot’s cavity blood. The mood stabilizing medication lamotrigine was detected in his cavity blood at 2,134 ng/mL. All three compounds were also detected in his urine. Bupropion is a medication prescribed as an antidepressant (commonly marketed as Wellbutrin) or for smoking cessation (commonly marketed as Zyban). Hydroxybupropion is the major active metabolite of bupropion. The treatment of depression would require FAA review before flying, and bupropion is not one of the drugs that FAA will permit use for depression. According to the FAA, bupropion carries the warning that the medication may impair mental or physical ability required to perform hazardous tasks. Lamotrigine is a prescription medication indicated for treatment of bipolar disorder and adjunctive treatment of epilepsy. It is commonly marketed as Lamictal. Lamotrigine can have impairing performance effects including dizziness and drowsiness, and patients should be warned not to operate complex machinery while on the medication. One record was obtained from the healthcare provider who completed the pilot’s BasicMed form on January 16, 2021. The pilot reported no medical conditions and the use of no medications. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose-low, invertedattitude. The right wing was fractured, and pieces of the wing were located in the initial ground scar. Propeller slash marks were found in the ground near the initial impact point and contained white paint transfer signatures (see figure 2). The propeller blades were found fractured and separated from the crankshaft flange. Figure 2: Propeller slash mark with white paint transfer Fragments of windscreen were found in the vicinity of the propeller. During the impact sequence, the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) deployed, and the canopy was found still bundled in a straight line away from the wreckage. The total debris field from the CAPS rocket to the main wreckage was about 110 ft. A postaccident examination revealed the pitot tube cover remained secured on the pitot tube with a “REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT” banner attached (see figure 3). Figure 3: Airplane as it came to rest with pitot tube cover secured in place