Accident Overview
On August 30, 2014, at 1517 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus SR22T, registration N930RH, operated by a private individual, impacted the Atlantic Ocean approximately 35 miles east of Wallops Island, Virginia. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was presumed fatally injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from Waukesha County Airport (UES), Waukesha, Wisconsin, at 1043 central daylight time, and was destined for Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF), Manassas, Virginia.
Sequence of Events
A review of radar data and voice transcriptions revealed that after departure, the airplane climbed to 21,000 feet mean sea level (msl) and leveled off for about an hour. At 1200, the pilot contacted air route traffic control center (ARTCC) and requested a descent to 17,000 feet. At 1220, he requested a further descent to 15,000 feet, which was cleared. At 1228:20, the pilot requested descent to 13,000 feet, which was approved after a brief delay. At 1249, the pilot requested an unspecified descent altitude; when asked for a specific altitude, he keyed the microphone without response for two minutes. At 1251:12, the pilot advised ATC of difficulties and was cleared to descend to 9,000 feet. At 1252:35, he again reported a problem and was advised to descend, responding "I'll try" and repeating his call sign.
At 1256:32, the controller asked if the pilot had oxygen onboard; he responded affirmatively. The controller then asked if he was wearing his mask and had oxygen working, to which the pilot replied "yes, affirmative sir." The controller instructed him to turn oxygen to 100 percent, and the pilot stated he was showing 100 percent. The controller advised him to descend, and the pilot said "hang on a second," which was the last transmission.
Around 1340, the airplane entered restricted airspace near Washington, D.C., remaining at about 13,000 feet before being intercepted by two North American Aerospace Defense Command aircraft. The intercept pilots observed the pilot was unconscious and attempts to contact him were unsuccessful. The interceptor aircraft followed the airplane until it impacted the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia.
Pilot Information
The pilot, age 67, held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and multi-engine land. His most recent FAA second-class medical was issued August 7, 2014. He reported 3,360 total flight hours on that date. A Cirrus Training Profile from May 21, 2014 indicated 3,330 total hours, of which 3,216 were as pilot-in-command and 2,780 were in single-engine airplanes. He had approximately 500 hours of experience with Avidyne Entegra Avionics and Garmin GNS 430/530 GPS systems, and about 50 total hours in the accident airplane make and model.
Aircraft Information
The four-seat, low-wing Cirrus SR22T, serial number 0813, was manufactured in 2014. It was powered by a Continental TSIO-550 series engine with a Hartzell PHC-J3Y1F-1N/N7605B propeller. A fixed oxygen system was installed per STC SA01708SE on June 14, 2014. The production test flight was completed on July 7, 2014, and an Airworthiness Certificate was issued on July 8, 2014.
Witness and Recovery
According to the Coast Guard, a fishing vessel near the impact location reported hearing a loud "fighter jet" and saw a jet circling a small airplane flying low toward the water. The small airplane impacted the water, and the fishing vessel arrived to find the tail still above water. Attempts to secure the plane failed, and it submerged completely. The occupants observed no signs of struggle in the cabin and recovered floating debris including a main landing gear strut with wheel and engine cowling. The rest of the airplane remained submerged and was not recovered.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather recorded at Wallops Flight Facility (WAL), about 59 miles from the accident site, at 1554 included wind from 150 degrees at 10 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, scattered ceiling at 4,800 feet agl, temperature 27°C, dew point 19°C, and altimeter setting 30.20 inches of mercury.
Additional Information
The pilot's wife reported no unusual events in the 72 hours before the flight, noting the pilot had a full night's rest and no stress. The pilot's body was not recovered; thus no autopsy or toxicological testing was performed.