History of Flight
On September 15, 2012, at 0021 central daylight time, a Cirrus Design SR22 airplane, N436KS, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Willard, Missouri. The pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by JL2, LLC under Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was operated on an IFR flight plan. The flight originated from Lee's Summit Municipal Airport (LXT) about 2330 on September 14, 2012, with an intended destination of Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), Springfield, Missouri.
At 2338, the pilot contacted Kansas City TRACON and requested an IFR clearance to SGF. The pilot was issued an IFR clearance and proceeded on course at a cruising altitude of 7,000 feet msl. About 0002, control was transferred to Springfield TRACON. At 0014, ATC instructed the pilot to cross the initial approach fix (BVRLY intersection) at or above 3,000 feet msl and cleared the pilot for an ILS approach to runway 14 at SGF. At 0017, the pilot contacted SGF tower and was cleared to land. At 0020:31, the pilot requested radar vectors for a second approach. The controller instructed a left turn to heading 360 degrees and to maintain 3,000 feet. The pilot acknowledged. At 0021:21, the pilot transmitted, "I need some help." No further communications were received.
Radar track data showed the airplane approaching SGF from the north-northwest. After a descent, the airplane leveled at 2,900 feet msl about 16 miles north-northwest of SGF. Around 0018, the flight path crossed the localizer near BVRLY, then drifted. Beginning about 0019:44, the path paralleled the localizer for about 40 seconds. About 0020:09, the airplane entered a left turn to 064 degrees. About 0020:38, a second left turn continued until the final radar data point at 0021:28, located about 420 feet from the accident site. The data showed a descent from 2,800 feet at 0021:18 to 1,800 feet at 0021:28, an average rate of 6,000 feet per minute.
A witness reported hearing a low flying airplane with engine surging, then a high-speed dive, impact, and explosion. The postimpact fire was observed.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument ratings. A third-class medical was issued on October 7, 2011, with 731.9 total hours and 97.2 hours in the preceding 6 months. A flight review was completed on January 23, 2012. The instructor estimated 1,000 hours total, 75 hours actual instrument, and 650 hours in Cirrus airplanes.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a 2002 Cirrus Design SR22, serial number 0202, with a low wing, four-place, single-engine configuration. It was powered by a 310-horsepower Continental IO-550-N engine. An annual inspection was completed on September 1, 2011, at 2,001 hours. An oil change was performed on April 10, 2012, at 2,070 hours. A recovered logbook showed an ending airframe time of 2,172.8 hours as of September 9, 2012. The airplane was equipped with four seats and restraints; no modifications to increase seating capacity were known.
Meteorological Information
At 0020, SGF weather reported wind 070 at 6 knots, visibility 8 miles, overcast at 700 feet agl, temperature 16°C, dew point 14°C. The area forecast noted overcast ceilings at 3,000 feet with visibilities 3-5 miles in light rain and mist. An AIRMET advised IFR conditions with ceilings below 1,000 feet and visibility below 3 miles. Civil twilight ended at 1948, moon set at 1818; the moon was more than 15° below the horizon. No official weather briefing was obtained, but two IFR flight plans were filed via DUATS.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was an open area of a lightly wooded pasture about 6 miles north-northwest of SGF, elevation about 1,120 feet. Linear ground impact marks from wing leading edges emanated from the main impact crater. The debris field extended up to 140 feet. The airframe was fragmented; the main crater contained the propeller, engine, instrument panel, and fuselage portions. The empennage separated and came to rest inverted 10 feet east. The engine exhibited impact damage. The propeller had separated; one blade was at the hub, two attached, with S-bending and chordwise scratches. The CAPS components remained attached; the parachute assembly was found 40 feet from the crater. No preimpact failure or malfunction was found.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy attributed the pilot's death to blunt trauma injuries. The FAA toxicology report was negative for drugs; 10 mg/dL ethanol was detected but likely from sources other than ingestion.