# NTSB ERA14CA205: Cirrus Design SR20, N497DA, Sanford, FL, April 21, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 21, 2014, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Sanford, FL - Coordinates: 28.776945, -81.235 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7769&lon=-81.2350&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 89091 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89091/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89091 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA205 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was his failure to compensate for torque, P-factor, and the reported crosswind conditions. ## 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 · Student/instructed 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) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: 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) ## Analysis During the supervised solo flight, the student pilot had completed three previous circuits in the traffic pattern, with two of the three landing attempts aborted. On the fourth landing attempt, a 70-degree right crosswind "blew" the airplane off the left side of the runway. The student pilot then applied full engine power to conduct a go-around, and the airplane "veered left and banked 45 degrees to the left." The student pilot stated that the airplane continued left "no matter how hard I pushed the control stick to the right." The student pilot also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. According to FAA Advisory Circular AC-61-23C, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge: "The effect of torque increases in direct proportion to engine power, airspeed, and airplane attitude. If the power setting is high, the airspeed slow, and the angle of attack high, the effect of torque is greater. During takeoffs and climbs, when the effect of torque is most pronounced, the pilot must apply sufficient right rudder pressure to counteract the left-turning tendency and maintain a straight takeoff path." ## Factual narrative During the supervised solo flight, the student pilot had completed three previous circuits in the traffic pattern, with two of the three landing attempts aborted. On the fourth landing attempt, a 70-degree right crosswind "blew" the airplane off the left side of the runway. The student pilot then applied full engine power to conduct a go-around, and the airplane "veered left and banked 45 degrees to the left." The student pilot stated that the airplane continued left "no matter how hard I pushed the control stick to the right." The student pilot also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. According to FAA Advisory Circular AC-61-23C, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge: "The effect of torque increases in direct proportion to engine power, airspeed, and airplane attitude. If the power setting is high, the airspeed slow, and the angle of attack high, the effect of torque is greater. During takeoffs and climbs, when the effect of torque is most pronounced, the pilot must apply sufficient right rudder pressure to counteract the left-turning tendency and maintain a straight takeoff path." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N497DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N497DA-2015-07-16), registration cancelled 2015-07-16, S/N 1843, built 2007 (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: [Continental IO-360-ES](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-es) (registry code 17160, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1843 - Year built: 2007 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-360-ES 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Boston Aviation Leasing II LLC - Registered owner: Boston Aviation Leasing II LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 6, 2014, 4,871 hours before - Departed: SFB, Sanford, FL - Destination: SFB, Sanford, FL - Airport: SFB, Orlando Sanford Intl, runway 27L, 6,647 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 39 total, 39 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: SFB ## 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 20140421005869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140421005869A), Apr 21, 2014: Cirrus Design Corp SR20, Sanford, FL, Substantial damage. Student pilot was performing supervised solo takeoffs and landings on runway 27L at orlando-Sanford international airport. According to the student's flight… ## Other investigations on N497DA (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 ERA12CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA082), Nov 22, 2011: Cirrus Design SR20 (N497DA), Brooksville, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's incorrect identification of the runway, which resulted in an off-airport landing and subsequent collision with objects. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 29, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89091. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412811&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Instructor Statement (item 3, .PDF, 169 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Instructor%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Wreckage as Found (Aeroism) (item 4, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412813&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Wreckage%20as%20Found%20(Aeroism)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Wreckage Facing Opposite Direction of Travel (Aeroism) (item 5, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Wreckage%20Facing%20Opposite%20Direction%20of%20Travel%20(Aeroism)-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.