On September 10, 2004, a Cirrus Design Corp. SR-22 (registration N1223S) was involved in an aviation accident near Park Falls, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flightcrew's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with water during approach. The low altitude was a factor in the accident. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane was destroyed after impacting a river near a runway. Witnesses observed a left turn and descent; the tail kicked up. No pre-impact anomalies were found, and the engine tested normally post-accident.
Accident Overview
The airplane was destroyed when it struck a river approximately 1,000 feet from the approach end of a runway.
Witness Observations
Multiple witnesses reported that the airplane was in a left-hand turn when it descended out of sight behind a tree line. One witness specifically noted seeing the tail of the airplane "kick straight up" in the air before losing sight of it behind the trees.
Pilot Statements
The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that the flight was intended to return him to his home after completing a week of flight instruction with the pilot flying from the left seat. The CFI reported that there was no plan to land at the accident airport and that he had no recollection of why the airplane was diverting to that airport.
Examination Findings
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact anomalies. A subsequent operational engine test was conducted, during which the engine achieved 2,880 rpm at 27.5 inches of manifold pressure. No anomalies were noted during the test.