Cirrus SR22 N764CD

Summary

On 5 July 2010 at about 21:28 local time, a Cirrus SR22 registered N764CD, operated by Smith Margaret D, was involved in an accident near Fairfield, New Jersey, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 July 2010 at 21:28

Classification

Accident

Location

Fairfield, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Essex County Airport (CDW)

Coordinates

40.8831, -74.2756

Aircraft

Cirrus SR22

Registration

N764CD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Smith Margaret D

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plattsburg → Caldwell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10FA347

3 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the go-around following a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's continuance of an unstabilized final approach and the improper use of flaps during the go-around.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After the pilot reported she was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, witnesses observed the airplane higher than normal on the final approach, which was confirmed by radar data. The airplane landed long and bounced on the runway, followed by a go around. During the go around, witnesses observed the airplane pitch up and enter a left turn. The nose of the airplane then dropped, indicative of a loss of control. The airplane impacted the ground in a steep, nose low attitude about one-half mile north of the airport. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of a pre-impact mechanical malfunction or failure. The wing flaps were found in the fully extended (100 percent) position at impact. The airplane's Pilot Operating Handbook stated that, in a go around situation, the flaps should be retracted to 50 percent during the go around, then fully retracted once obstacles are cleared.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.