FlightFinder
Check my flight
2 fatalities

Cirrus SR20 Crashes into Manhattan Apartment Building (N929CD)

Manhattan, Nyc, NY, US

On October 11, 2006, a Cirrus Design Corp. SR-20 (registration N929CD) was involved in an aviation accident near Manhattan, Nyc, NY. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilots' inadequate planning, judgment, and airmanship in the performance of a 180º turn maneuver inside of a limited turning space. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

On October 11, 2006, a Cirrus SR20 crashed into an apartment building in Manhattan while maneuvering over the East River. Two pilots were killed, one person on the ground sustained serious injuries, two sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.

Accident Details

On October 11, 2006, at about 1442 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus Design SR20, registration N929CD, crashed into an apartment building in Manhattan, New York City. The airplane was maneuvering above the East River at the time of the accident. The flight was operated as a personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Marginal visual flight rules (MVFR) conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

Aircraft and Injuries

The airplane was occupied by two pilots: a certificated private pilot who owned the airplane and a passenger who held a commercial pilot certificate with a flight instructor certificate. Both occupants were killed. On the ground, one person sustained serious injuries and two people sustained minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire.

Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the accident and released an aviation accident brief (NTSB/AAB-07/02) detailing the circumstances. The brief is available online at the NTSB's website.

Loss of control in flight

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Oct 2006 Cirrus Design Corp. SR-20 accident near Manhattan, Nyc, NY?

On October 11, 2006, a Cirrus SR20 crashed into an apartment building in Manhattan while maneuvering over the East River. Two pilots were killed, one person on the ground sustained serious injuries, two sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Oct 2006 Cirrus Design Corp. SR-20 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Oct 2006 involved a Cirrus Design Corp. SR-20, registration N929CD, at Manhattan, Nyc, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilots' inadequate planning, judgment, and airmanship in the performance of a 180º turn maneuver inside of a limited turning space.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20061018X01530. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.