# NTSB ERA18LA098: Cirrus Design SR20, N101AD, Churchville, MD, March 7, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 2018, 21:17 local (Mar 7, 2018, 02:17 UTC) - Place: Churchville, MD - Coordinates: 39.566944, -76.202499 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5669&lon=-76.2025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96830/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96830 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in the airplane ballooning on touchdown, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the attempted landing and subsequent go-around. ## 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: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that, before departure for a cross-country, personal flight at night in visual conditions, he checked the weather using several online weather resources, which showed that the destination airport was reporting visual meteorological conditions. He reported that, about 30 minutes before the anticipated arrival at the destination airport, it started snowing. He descended the airplane to get out of the snow, but the airplane encountered a temperature inversion, and because snow was accumulating on the wings, the pilot chose to divert to the closest airport. He approached the runway at a higher-than-normal speed, and the airplane ballooned during touchdown and then drifted off the side of the runway. He attempted a go-around, but the airplane could not gain enough airspeed to become airborne, and it subsequently impacted two trucks, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot's improper landing flare resulted in the airplane ballooning upon landing and led to his subsequent loss of directional control. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2018, about 2117 eastern standard time, a Cirrus Design Corp. SR20, N101AD, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing at Harford County Airport (0W3), Churchville, Maryland. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Night, instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The flight was operated by AMP Air LLC under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed Tom B. David Field Airport (CZL), Calhoun, Georgia at 1700.The pilot stated that before departure he checked the weather using several online weather resources and found that the destination airport was reporting visual meteorological conditions. About 30 minutes prior to their arrival it started snowing. He descended from 9,500 ft to 4,000 feet, to get out of the snow and to warmer temperatures. After reaching 4,000 ft he continued to descend and encountered a temperature inversion. With snow continuing to accumulate on the wings, he elected to divert and land at the closest airport. He approached the runway at a slightly higher airspeed than normal and the airplane "balooned" during touchdown and drifted off the side of the runway. He attempted a full power go-around, but was unable to gain enough airspeed to become airborne again. The airplane subsequently impacted two landscaping trucks. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. Photographs of the airplane taken by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the engine and the tail had separated from the airframe, and there was damage to the left wing and landing gear. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He reported 501 hours of total flight experience. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on May 31, 2016. Runway 10 at 0W3 was 2,000 feet-long by 40 feet-wide, and was constructed of asphalt. A two light precision approach path indicator was installed on the left side of the runway. There were 62-foot-tall trees located 1,321 feet from the runway threshold. The weather conditions reported at Phillips Army Airfield (APG), Aberdeen, Maryland, about 6 miles south of the accident site, included wind from 160° at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots, visibility 5 statute miles, light rain, temperature 4° C, dew point 2° C, and an altimeter setting of 29.91 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N101AD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N101AD-2019-06-28), registration cancelled 2019-06-28, S/N 1198, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cirrus Design SR20](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr20) (registry code 2130000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1198 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 1912.9 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-360 SER 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 2017 - Departed: CZL, CALHOUN, GA - Destination: VAY, MOUNT HOLLY, NJ - Airport: 0W3, Harford County, runway 10, 2,000 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Airframe parachute, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 501 total, 443 in this make and model, 27 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: 160° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KAPG, 6 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 20180306001499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180306001499A), Mar 6, 2018: Cirrus Design Corp SR20, Churchville, MD, Destroyed. The pilot stated he was flying back to his home airport from calhoun, Georgia. Before departure he looked at the weather using several online weather resources… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96830. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471732&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 4 photos, 750 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471733&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.