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Failure to remove angle of attack vane cover bends Cirrus

By General Aviation News Staff · February 15, 2025 · 6 Comments

The pilot reported that during takeoff, he heard a noise that sounded like “gravel hitting the gear,” which continued after landing gear retraction, and prompted a return to the airport in Waukesha, Wisconsin, for a precautionary landing.

He stated that while on the downwind leg, the stall warning aural alert sounded, and the stick shaker activated. The pilot used the autopilot disconnect button to regain control of the Cirrus SF50.

During touchdown, the airplane bounced and exited the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the lower forward fuselage.

Following the accident, the pilot discovered he had failed to remove the angle of attack vane cover.

Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection removal of the angle of attack vane cover.

NTSB Identification: 106702

To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.

This February 2023 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.

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Comments

  1. Cary Alburn says

    February 19, 2025 at 7:56 am

    Sheesh! What happened to basic flying? Or is this another case of too much money and too little proficiency?

    Reply
  2. bob hearst low time C-150 Capt. says

    February 18, 2025 at 8:35 pm

    FAA says pic had 400 total time all types, Sounds like more money than experience.

    Reply
    • Scott Patterson says

      February 19, 2025 at 5:28 am

      People love to hang the proverbial hat on low time…until it’s a 20k ATP doing the same thing.

      Reply
  3. bob hearst low time C-150 Capt. says

    February 18, 2025 at 8:30 pm

    I’m confused, does the a.o.a. system provide airspeed or blind the ‘driver’ to nose pitch angle for landing ? Bounced off the runway ??? Hard to live that one down.

    Reply
  4. John says

    February 18, 2025 at 5:39 am

    Not knowing that what&where is it

    Reply
  5. Scott Patterson says

    February 18, 2025 at 5:17 am

    Probably needs to fly Cat lllc, with a ground crew, since doing preflight and actual flying limited to an autopilot is too confusing 😐

    Reply

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