# NTSB ERA20CA048: Cirrus SR22, N991WS, Union City, TN, December 1, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 1, 2019, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Union City, TN - Coordinates: 36.380001, -88.989997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3800&lon=-88.9900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Cirrus Aircraft - NTSB case key (mKey): 100658 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100658/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100658 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA048 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a gusting crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left wing impacting grass. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [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 (probable cause); cases with it: [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a crosswind gust and drifted left. At touchdown, a second gust lifted the right wing, the airplane drifted off the runway centerline, and the left wing impacted grass. The pilot added power; however, the left wing continued to drag in the grass, the airplane exited the runway, and the landing gear collapsed. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a crosswind gust and drifted left. At touchdown, a second gust lifted the right wing, the airplane drifted off the runway centerline, and the left wing impacted grass. The pilot added power; however, the left wing continued to drag in the grass, the airplane exited the runway, and the landing gear collapsed. Examination of the wings revealed substantial damage due to delamination of both wing spars. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 20 kts with gusts to 28 kts. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 19, which resulted in a crosswind component of 19 kts gusting to 26 kts. The manufacturer's pilot's operating handbook stated, "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability as well as aircraft limitations. Operation in direct crosswinds of 20 knots has been demonstrated." ## Aircraft - Registration: N991WS (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cirrus SR22 (Undesignat) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1188 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 1607 - Engines: Continental IO 550N27 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Orthoair LLC - Registered owner: Orthoair LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2019, 135 hours before - Departed: M02, Dickson, TN - Destination: UCY, Union City, TN - Airport: UCY, Everett-Stewart Rgnl, runway 19, 6,503 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Airframe parachute, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 5, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,040 total, 165 in this make and model, 935 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 260° at 20 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.63 inHg - Observed at: UCY, 5 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 20191201017549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191201017549A), Dec 1, 2019: Cirrus Design Corp SR22, Union, TN, Substantial damage. On December 1st 2019 N991WS departed dickson county airport approximately 0700 en route to st louis, MO. The aircraft was carrying the PIC and one passenger.… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100658. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479331&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479332&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Investigative Photographs (item 4, .PDF, 4 photos, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479333&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Master.PDF - POH Excerpt (item 5, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479334&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=POH%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479335&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.