# NTSB ERA14CA357: Cirrus Design SR22, N8159Z, Lafollette, TN, July 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2014, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Lafollette, TN - Coordinates: 36.346668, -84.012222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3467&lon=-84.0122&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Cirrus Aircraft Company, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA357 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89735/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89735 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA357 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a go-around in gusty crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 94 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2130001), [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 SR22, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After an uneventful cross-country flight, about 2 miles from his destination airport, the pilot noted a "significant crosswind component with gusty/windshear like conditions." He then established the airplane in a slip maneuver and continued his approach to land. While over the runway, after realizing he had passed his intended point of landing, the pilot applied full throttle, added right rudder and pitched the airplane to a climb attitude to initiate a go-around. The airplane was then struck by a "significant wind gust" and it veered to the left towards a tree line. The left wing made contact with a tree and then impacted the ground before coming to rest between two trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that could have precluded normal operation. A witness' recount of the accident corroborated the pilot's statement. The winds at the time of the accident were gusting from the west. ## Factual narrative After an uneventful cross-country flight, about 2 miles from his destination airport, the pilot noted a "significant crosswind component with gusty/windshear like conditions." He then established the airplane in a slip maneuver and continued his approach to land. While over the runway, after realizing he had passed his intended point of landing, the pilot applied full throttle, added right rudder and pitched the airplane to a climb attitude to initiate a go-around. The airplane was then struck by a "significant wind gust" and it veered to the left towards a tree line. The left wing made contact with a tree and then impacted the ground before coming to rest between two trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that could have precluded normal operation. A witness' recount of the accident corroborated the pilot's statement. The winds at the time of the accident were gusting from the west. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8159Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8159Z-2014-09-15), registration cancelled 2014-09-15, S/N 0743, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP 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: 0743 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 1427 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550 SERIES 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2013, 75 hours before - Departed: DWU, ASHLAND, KY - Destination: TN44, Lafollette, TN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: TN44, Deerfield Resort, runway 21, 3,120 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Airframe parachute, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 23, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 623 total, 452.5 in this make and model, 567.2 as pilot in command, 32.4 in the last 90 days, 9.8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: 1A6, 21 nm away ## 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 20140724012789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140724012789A), Jul 24, 2014: Cirrus Design Corp SR22, Lafollette, TN, Substantial damage. On 7/24/2014, at about 1630 hrs aircraft N8159Z, a Cirrus Design Corp, SR22 piloted by [privacy data omitted], crashed into a wooded area while attempting to… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89735. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 553 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Charles Jones (Witness) (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Charles%20Jones%20(Witness)-Master.PDF - Weather Report and Record (item 3, .PDF, 197 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%20and%20Record-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Airplane at Accident Site (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Tailcone (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414967&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Tailcone%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.