# NTSB ERA13CA150: Cirrus Design SR20, N135CD, Brunswick, GA, February 28, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 28, 2013, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Brunswick, GA - Coordinates: 31.151945, -81.391113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1519&lon=-81.3911&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86327 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86327/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86327 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA150 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a strong, gusting crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the approach to the runway, he listened to the automatic terminal information service, which noted that the wind was from 270 degrees at 16 knots and gusting to 26 knots. The pilot chose to continue the approach and, during the landing flare, a gust of wind forced the airplane left and down. The left wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest upright in a grassy area off the left side of the runway. The impact resulted in damage to the left wing, right flap, undercarriage, propeller, and firewall. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He had accumulated a total flight experience of 84 hours of which 12 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during approach to runway 22, he listened to the automatic terminal information service, which noted the wind from 270 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The pilot elected to continue the approach and during the landing flare, a gust of wind forced the airplane left and down, off the left side of the runway. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane came to rest upright in a grassy area off the left side of the runway. The impact resulted in damage to the left wing, right flap, undercarriage, propeller and firewall. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He had accumulated a total flight experience of 84 hours; of which, 12 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N135CD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N135CD-2017-12-27), registration cancelled 2017-12-27, S/N 1022, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20 - Registry model: [Cirrus Design SR20](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr20) (registry code 2130000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1022 - Airframe hours: 852 - Engines: Continental IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenton C Harrison - Registered owner: Copy Right Express - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2012, 50 hours before - Departed: HXD, Hilton Head Isl, SC - Destination: SSI, Brunswick, GA - Airport: SSI, Malcolm McKinnon Airport, runway 22, 5,584 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 25, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 12 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 13 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: SSI ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20130228003339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130228003339A), Feb 28, 2013: Cirrus Design Corp SR20, St. Simons, GA, Substantial damage. On February 28, 2013 1500L, this office was notified that a Cirrus SR20, N135CD was pushed to the infield by winds while attempting to land at Mckinnon Airport… ## Other investigations on N135CD (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA17FA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA313), Sep 5, 2017: Cirrus Design SR20 (N135CD), Jacksonburg, WV, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions in the vicinity of adverse weather conditions. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86327. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 926 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2: Firewall (Photo Courtesdy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%3A%20%20Firewall%20(Photo%20Courtesdy%20of%20FAA)-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.