# NTSB GAA17CA201: Cirrus Design SR22, N146GS, Atlanta, GA, March 22, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 22, 2017, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 33.875556, -84.30194 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8756&lon=-84.3019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94906 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94906/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94906 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA201 ## Probable cause The pilot’s use of excessive airspeed during the approach, which resulted in a bounced, hard landing and subsequent loss of directional control during an attempted go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 SR22, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2130001), [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 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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that he had recently completed flight training from the manufacturer. The accident flight was conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR). During the first approach to land, the pilot reported that the airspeed was too fast and that he decided to go around. He canceled the IFR flight plan, squawked 1200, and remained in the traffic pattern. During his second approach, the airspeed was again too fast, but he attempted to land. The airplane bounced three times, and during the ascent of the third bounce, the pilot added full power and attempted to go around. The airplane veered left, and he attempted to counter the veer with full right rudder application. However, the airplane touched down hard and exited the runway to left. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane slid across the safety area before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the airplane reported that had recently completed flight training from the manufacturer. The accident flight was conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) as was the first approach. During his first approach, the pilot reported that his airspeed was too fast and he decided to go around. He canceled the IFR flight plan and squawked 1200 and remained in the traffic pattern. During his second approach, his airspeed was again too fast, but he attempted to land. The airplane bounced three times and during the ascent of the third bounce, the pilot added full power and attempted to go around. The airplane veered left and he attempted to counter the veer with full right rudder application. However, the airplane exited the runway to left and touched down hard. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid across the safety area before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N146GS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N146GS), registered now, S/N 2393, built 2007 (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: 2393 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 1884 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550-N 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Drc Air LLC - Registered owner: Drc Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2016 - Departed: KGMU, Greenville, SC - Destination: PDK, Atlanta, GA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PDK, Dekalb-Peachtree, runway 34, 3,960 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Airframe parachute, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,658 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,548 as pilot in command, 2.5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KFTY, 12 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 20170322004189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170322004189A), Mar 22, 2017: Cirrus Design Corp SR22, Dekalb, GA, Substantial damage. The Cirrus was on an IFR flight to pdk and being vectored for a visual approach for landing. During the approach the pilot stated that the tower had first… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94906. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456594&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Initial Notification and Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456595&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Initial%20Notification%20and%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456596&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.