# NTSB WPR26LA126: Cirrus Design SR20, N619AV, Redington, AZ, March 10, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 10, 2026, 14:17 local (21:17 UTC) - Place: Redington, AZ - Coordinates: 32.5455, -110.3989 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5455&lon=-110.3989&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 17, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 202644 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202644/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202644 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA126 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to continue the flight into icing conditions, which resulted in the accumulation of airframe icing and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while en route on a cross-country flight operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) at 11,000 ft mean sea level (msl), she was cleared by air traffic control (ATC) to deviate from her planned route as necessary to remain clear of developing clouds. She continued to monitor weather conditions via the multifunction display (MFD) and was aware of light to moderate precipitation developing along the route; however, she elected to continue the flight. Shortly thereafter, the controller cleared the pilot to climb to 12,000 ft msl to maintain cloud clearance. During the climb, the airplane encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which included moderate precipitation, and the pilot began to observe indications of airframe icing. Concerned about potential degradation in aircraft performance, she requested a descent to a lower altitude while continuing along the planned route of flight. During the descent, an airspeed annunciation activated, prompting the pilot to disengage the autopilot and manually control the airplane. As the descent continued, rime ice rapidly accumulated on the airframe. Subsequently, both the stall warning horn and stick shaker activated. At approximately 9,500 ft msl, the controller issued a low-altitude alert and instructed the pilot to climb immediately. The pilot responded by pitching up to initiate a climb; however, the airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall. After having descended about 2,000 ft, the pilot activated the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The airplane descended under parachute and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the right elevator and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. According to the airplane’s flight manual, “Flight into known icing conditions is prohibited.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N619AV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N619AV), registered now, S/N 10884, built 2025 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20 - Registry model: [Cirrus Design SR20](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr20) (registry code 2130000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-390-C3B6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-390-c3b6) (registry code 42710, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10884 - Year built: 2025 - Airframe hours: 463.2 - Engines: Lycoming IO-390-C3B6 215 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Westwind School Of Aeronautics Phoenix LLC DBA, doing business as United Aviate Academy - Registered owner: Westwind School Of Aeronautics Phoenix LLC DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, March 10, 2026, 53.5 hours before - Departed: KELP, El Paso, TX - Destination: KGYR, Goodyear, AZ - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 3, 2024; seat: left; flight hours: 1,439.3 total, 1,384.8 in this make and model, 1,320.5 as pilot in command, 167.9 in the last 90 days, 44.5 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Not reported - Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Icing: Rime - Observed at: KTUS, 38 nm away - METAR: METAR KTUS 102053Z 31010G16KT 10SM BKN038 OVC070 16/08 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP169 T01610078 50002= ## 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 20260310002069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260310002069A), Mar 10, 2026: Cirrus Design Corp SR20, San Manuel, AZ, Substantial damage. While en route, the pilot encountered deteriorating weather conditions, including storm clouds, moderate precipitation, and icing. The pilot maneuvered and… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202644. 24.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 16 pages, 6.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20242249&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Flight manual excerpt (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 300 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20389931&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Flight%20Manual%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - On board flight data_csv (item 3, CSV, 14.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20242259&FileExtension=csv&FileName=10MAR2026-N619AV-None-Rel.csv - On board flight track (item 4, KMZ, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20242717&FileExtension=kmz&FileName=flight_path_cf369157-CAPS-PULL-LABEL-Rel.kmz - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 791 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20349143&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.