# NTSB ERA16CA056: Cirrus Design SR22, N771BT, Danbury, CT, November 24, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 24, 2015, 18:18 local (23:18 UTC)
- Place: Danbury, CT
- Coordinates: 41.371387, -73.482223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3714&lon=-73.4822&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92394/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92394
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA056

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstructions while on approach to landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Upon arrival at the pilot's destination airport, the wind was calm, there was no ceiling, and the visibility was unlimited. Sunset had already occurred. Air traffic control directed the pilot to enter a left downwind for the active runway. The pilot then entered the left downwind for the runway at approximately 1,500 feet and confirmed the pattern altitude with air traffic control as there were nearby radio towers. The pilot elected to fly an extended downwind beyond the radio towers, turned left base and then final. On the turn to final, the pilot slightly overshot the runway centerline and then adjusted to align with the runway. Upon turning final, the tower controller realized the runway edge lights (MIRL) were at low intensity, advised him, and increased their intensity making the runway more visible. The runway end identifier lights (REIL) were out of service and the displaced threshold for the runway was unlighted. On final approach, the pilot heard a "thunk" sound and felt a slight jolt as if something had struck the airplane. The pilot continued the approach and landed, touching down beyond the displaced threshold and then taxied to the ramp. Post flight inspection by the pilot revealed that the right wing had a yellowish goo spattered on top of it, a large dent in the TKS anti-ice panel on the leading edge of the outer part of the wing, a small dent in the TKS anti-ice panel on the leading edge more inward on the wing, a third dent on the corner of the leading edge of the composite cap at the end of the wing, and chipped paint on the top of the wing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector also revealed that a piece of wood with bark on one side of it was wedged between the right wing tiedown ring and the wing structure. Examination of the airplane by maintenance personnel revealed that the solid laminate and sandwich structure of the wing had been substantially damaged. Examination of the surrounding area revealed that trees were present along and below the flight path for the runway. Review of the Airport Facility Directory also revealed that it advised that 88 foot tall trees were present 450 feet from the runway which took a 3:1 slope to clear.

## Factual narrative

Upon arrival at the pilot's destination airport, the winds were calm, there was no ceiling, and the visibility was unlimited. Sunset had already occurred. Air traffic control directed the pilot to enter a left downwind for the active runway. The pilot then entered the left downwind for the runway at approximately 1,500 feet and confirmed the pattern altitude with air traffic control as there were nearby radio towers. The pilot elected to fly an extended downwind beyond the radio towers, turned left base and then final. On the turn to final, the pilot slightly overshot the runway centerline and then adjusted to align with the runway. Upon turning final, the tower controller realized the runway edge lights (MIRL) were at low intensity, advised him, and increased their intensity making the runway more visible. The runway end identifier lights (REIL) were out of service and the displaced threshold for the runway was unlighted. On final approach, the pilot heard a "thunk" sound and felt a slight jolt as if something had struck the airplane. The pilot continued the approach and landed, touching down beyond the displaced threshold and then taxied to the ramp. Post flight inspection by the pilot revealed that the right wing had a yellowish goo spattered on top of it, a large dent in the anti-ice panel on the leading edge of the outer part of the wing, a small dent in the anti-ice panel on the leading edge farther inboard on the wing, a third dent on the corner of the leading edge of the composite cap at the end of the wing, and chipped paint on the top of the wing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector also revealed that a piece of wood with tree bark on one side of it was wedged between the right wing tiedown ring and the wing structure. Examination of the airplane by maintenance personnel revealed that the solid laminate and sandwich structure of the wing had been substantially damaged. Examination of the surrounding area revealed that trees were present along and below the flight path for the runway. Review of the Airport Facility Directory also revealed that it advised that 88 foot tall trees were present 450 feet from the runway which took a 3:1 slope to clear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N771BT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N771BT), registered now, S/N 3622, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Cirrus Design SR22](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr22) (registry code 2130001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550-N](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-n) (registry code 17215, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3622
- Year built: 2010
- Airframe hours: 812.8
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550-N-61B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 2, 2015
- Departed: HPN, White Plains, NY
- Destination: DXR, Danbury, CT
- Airport: DXR, Danbury Municipal Airport, runway 26, 4,422 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Auto-pilot, Airframe parachute, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 19, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 284 total, 182 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.39 inHg
- Observed at: DXR

## 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 20151124018679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151124018679A), Nov 24, 2015: Cirrus Design Corp SR22, Danbury, CT, Substantial damage. The pilot left westchester county airport (khpn) at 1806 EST. The pilot was on approach to Danbury airport (kdxr). This was a visual flight rule (VFR) flight…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 23, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92394. 8.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Witness Statements and Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 642 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records - KDXR METARs (item 3, .PDF, 265 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20KDXR%20METARs-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records - US Naval Observatory Sun and Moon Data (item 4, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20US%20Naval%20Observatory%20Sun%20and%20Moon%20Data-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA and Cirrus Aircraft) (item 5, .PDF, 15 photos, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436912&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA%20and%20Cirrus%20Aircraft)-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.

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