Accident Overview
On February 14, 2009, at approximately 1115 mountain standard time, a Cirrus SR22, registration N486CD, operated by Vector Resources LLC of Denver, Colorado, was substantially damaged during an attempted go-around at Bob Adams Field (SBS), Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The aircraft struck a snow berm and nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 with an activated VFR flight plan.
Flight Details
The cross-country flight originated from Centennial Airport (APA), Englewood, Colorado, at approximately 1015 and was en route to SBS. The pilot reported receiving a full weather briefing from the FAA Flight Service Station, with no NOTAMs for snow or ice on the SBS runways.
Approach and Landing
The pilot executed a GPS E approach to runway 32. Due to the displaced threshold and the approach procedure, the intended touchdown point was the south runway marker, 1,000 feet from the threshold. The airplane touched down at an estimated 80 to 90 knots. The pilot stated he did not apply heavy braking, as he had been conditioned to avoid overheating the brakes. After passing taxiway B, he began braking but encountered a patch of ice, causing the airplane to turn sideways to the right. The pilot corrected and realigned the aircraft, but was then approximately 800 to 1,000 feet from the runway end, still traveling at about 50 knots. He decided to execute a go-around.
Go-Around and Impact
As the airplane lifted off, the landing gear struck a snow berm at the end of the runway. The aircraft came to rest inverted about 50 feet beyond the runway end. The vertical stabilizer was torn off, and the horizontal stabilizer was buckled. Both wing tips and the right wing lower skin were buckled. The nose and engine were displaced to the left.
Injuries and Occupants
The pilot and his two daughters, the other passengers, were not injured. The pilot's wife, a passenger, received a minor injury.
Post-Accident Examination
Impact forces deployed the front seat airbag. An NTSB survival factors team examined the airplane and its restraint systems. The aircraft was equipped with Avidyne Entegra Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Displays (MFD). The PFD and the MFD's compact flash card were sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Division for data download. The data, including graphical and Google Earth depictions, corroborated the pilot's description of events.