History of Flight
On July 29, 2011, about 2100 mountain standard time, a Cirrus Design Corp SR20, registration N365DP, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain while maneuvering about 30 nautical miles southwest of Fredonia, Arizona, in the Kaibab National Forest. The private pilot and registered owner, as well as a commercial pilot/passenger, sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal cross-country trip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed Rock Hill Airport-Bryant Field (UZA) in Rock Hill, South Carolina, about 0800 eastern daylight time, with a destination of Henderson Executive Airport (HND) in Henderson, Nevada.
Family members reported that the purpose of the flight was to reposition the airplane. The private pilot's family member stated that she spoke with the pilot that afternoon; he reported refueling in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and expected arrival about 2130 or 2200 Pacific daylight time. The commercial pilot's family member provided a timeline of text messages. Law enforcement reported that a family member said the flight landed in the Oklahoma panhandle to refuel, and that the commercial pilot called at 2023 stating they would refuel in Arizona before proceeding to HND.
The Prescott Flight Service Station issued an alert notification about 0800 MST on July 30, and the wreckage was located about 1000 MST, 31 nautical miles southeast of Fredonia.
Fuel receipts and witness statements revealed that after departing UZA, the airplane landed at Walnut Ridge Airport (ARG) in Arkansas at about 1330 central daylight time, refueling with 50.1 gallons. It departed about 1400 CDT. The airplane then flew to Guymon Municipal Airport (GUY) in Oklahoma, where it was refueled with 44.2 gallons at 1851 CDT, departing about 1900 CDT.
Radar data from the 84 RADES covered the final 26 minutes of the flight. The airplane transmitted a 1200 transponder code without Mode C altitude. From 20:28:55 to 20:54:10, it flew a magnetic heading of 244 degrees at an average groundspeed of 132 knots. At 20:54:10, it turned right 16 degrees, then left 50 degrees 36 seconds later. From 20:54:47 to 20:55:24, heading was 210 degrees at 116 knots, in line with Kingman Airport. From 20:55:24 to 20:55:36, it turned right 90 degrees to a northwest heading, in line with Kanab Airport. The accident site was about 0.1 mile north of the last radar return in the Saddle Mountain Wilderness of the Kaibab Plateau, at an elevation of about 8,900 feet msl. The airplane impacted high-standing trees on a magnetic heading of 355 degrees, with an energy path extending 385 feet.
Personnel Information
The private pilot, age 39, held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating, issued April 13, 2008, with 73.4 hours at checkride. His logbook was not recovered. He held a third-class medical certificate issued July 31, 2007.
The commercial pilot, age 32, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and single-engine sea, issued July 16, 2009. He held a third-class medical certificate issued May 15, 2008, listing 400 hours. A family member stated total time was about 600 hours at the time of the accident; his logbook was not available.
Aircraft Information
The Cirrus SR20, serial number 1062, was a four-place, low-wing, fixed tricycle landing gear airplane manufactured in 2000, powered by a Continental Motors IO-360-ES engine. The most recent annual inspection was March 2, 2011, at 2,468.0 Hobbs hours, with 1,046.9 hours since engine overhaul. On March 22, 2011, the parachute and rocket motor were replaced.
Communications
No communications between the pilots and air traffic control occurred on the day of the accident.
Meteorological Information
At 2054 MST, Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN), 34 nm south, reported wind 210° at 6 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet, temperature 22°C, dew point 11°C, altimeter 30.28 inHg. Kanab Airport, 36 nm northwest, reported wind 340° at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 27°C, dew point 8°C, altimeter 30.15 inHg. Page Municipal Airport, 42 nm east-northeast, reported wind 320° at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 33°C, dew point 3°C, altimeter 30.03 inHg. An NTSB meteorologist stated no evidence of clouds below 16,000-17,000 feet in the accident area, and the environment was not conducive to meteorological clouds. The moon was waning crescent with 1% illumination; moonset was at 1851 MST.
Wreckage and Impact Information
All components necessary for flight were accounted for. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was a pine tree with broken branches about 55 feet up. Paint chips were on the ground. A second tree had a piece of fiberglass embedded. A shallow crater appeared 140 feet from the FIPC, with soot and ashes from a post-impact fire. The propeller separated and was found 280 feet from the FIPC. The main wreckage, including the right wing, left wing, and empennage, was located 255 feet from the FIPC. The cockpit and cabin were consumed by fire. The altimeter face read 30.47 inHg and 1033 mb. The right aileron exhibited no thermal damage; its trim tab was not located. The left aileron also showed no thermal damage. The empennage exhibited no thermal damage. Elevator and rudder control cable continuity was confirmed. The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) activation handle was in its holder; the safety pin was not observed. The parachute remained in the D-bag and was found beyond the main wreckage. The rocket motor was not observed.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies on both pilots listed blunt force injuries as cause of death. Toxicology for the private pilot detected Loratadine (a non-sedating antihistamine) in lung and kidney, not considered a hazard. For the commercial pilot, ethanol was detected: 24 mg/dL in muscle, 13 mg/dL in blood, none in kidney; no drugs were found.
Tests and Research
Airframe and engine examinations revealed no pre-impact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine produced no abnormalities preventing rated horsepower. The propeller displayed impact damage. Performance data from Cirrus Aircraft indicated that from Guymon to Henderson, including 45-minute reserve, the estimated range was 658 nm, while the distance was 659.8 nm.
Additional Information
The Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 61-134 defines Controlled Flight Into Terrain as a situation where an airworthy aircraft is flown into terrain with inadequate pilot awareness. The Maximum Elevation Figure on the Las Vegas sectional chart in the accident area was 9,400 feet msl; the accident site was at 8,869 feet msl.