Incident Overview
On May 5, 2009, at 1449 central daylight time, a Cessna Citation model 551, registration N740JB, experienced a temporary loss of control while in cruise flight at 16,000 feet. The airplane was operated by Ballard Aviation, Incorporated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions prevailed, and the flight operated on an IFR flight plan. The flight departed Stillwater Regional Airport (SWO), Stillwater, Oklahoma, at 1430, destined for Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (ICT), Wichita, Kansas.
Pilot Statement
According to a written statement provided by the pilot, after leveling at 16,000 feet with the autopilot engaged, he began reviewing charts for the approach to ICT. When he scanned the instruments, he observed that the flight director was flagged off and both the pilot and co-pilot attitude indicators were off. He declared an emergency with air traffic control, reduced the throttles to idle, and pulled back on the controls. As the airspeed approached 200 knots, he lowered the landing gear. When the airplane broke through the bottom of the clouds, it was in a 60-degree left turn at approximately 80 knots. The airline transport pilot managed to regain control and level the airplane at approximately 6,100 feet. The flight director and all instruments then began working again. He re-engaged the autopilot and continued to ICT, where he landed without further incident.
Aircraft Examination
The airplane was recovered to Cessna aircraft company facilities in Wichita, Kansas, for examination. Inspection of the airframe revealed structural damage to the fuselage and wings sustained during the recovery from the rapid descent. Flight instruments including the flight director system, gyros, and attitude indicators were removed and examined for evidence of failure or malfunction. No anomalies were found, and the described failures could not be duplicated.
Outcome
The airline transport pilot and the passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage.