Failure to follow procedure proves fatal

Aircraft: Cirrus SR22. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Anderson, S.C. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.

What reportedly happened: The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings with a CFI. The CFI then got out of the airplane and instructed the pilot to do three takeoffs and landings to full stop.

According to the instructor, the pilot’s first flight around the airport traffic pattern and landing were normal. On the second landing the airplane appeared to touch down normally, however, shortly thereafter the engine power increased and the airplane began to climb at a steep angle, stall, and crash next to the runway.

Review of data recorded by an onboard recoverable data module showed that as the airplane approached the runway during the landing, the stall warning activated and one second later the pilot increased engine power.

As the engine power increased, the airplane began a turn to the left and the pilot retracted the flaps from the fully extended to the fully retracted position, which was contrary to the airframe manufacturer’s published procedure for a balked landing.

The data showed that after it reached an altitude of about 75 feet above ground level, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall, and then rolled left while pitching down. The data recording ended before the airplane impacted terrain.

Review of the pilot’s flight logs showed that he had accumulated more than 330 total hours of flight experience, including more than 220 hours in the accident airplane, however, he had not previously flown the accident airplane solo before the accident flight.

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

NTSB Identification: ERA12FA303

This April 2012 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.