The recently certificated pilot reported that, during the initial climb, he heard a whistling noise and noticed that the Cirrus SR22’s passenger door was not secured.
He returned to the departure airport in Kirksville, Missouri, to secure the door.
During the landing flare, he believed that the wind decreased significantly, which resulted in him having “too much right rudder engaged.”
The airplane touched down 30° relative to the runway centerline, veered off the runway to the right, and the nose gear collapsed.
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.
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper compensation for changing wind during the landing flare, which resulted in an off-centered landing and a subsequent loss of directional control.
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA046
This October 2016 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.
It requires coordinated thrust for prop-blast across the rudder and aft fuselage when landing in crosswind. What ever it takes to maintain heading control. Landing roll braking with up to full power in the extreme.
A complimentary e-copy of my book How to Fly Airplanes, request at [email protected].
Before the usual Cirrus naysayers get going lets consider what really happened.
The guy was overwhelmed by his need to fix the door. And failed to setup and do a stabilized approach and touchdown taking into account the winds etc.
ALL OF US have committed this sin…and most often get away with it. This low time guy will hopefully learn from the mistake…one that can be made in ANY aircraft.
Maybe he’d be better off spending a little more time in a 152 instead of letting his money get ahead of his skills?
haha.. Well said.
Unfortunate but could have been much worse. General comment – get all of the instruction possible in crosswinds. Nothing more valuable.