Incident Overview
On April 8, 2018, at approximately 1653 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus SR22, Canadian registration C-GMDQ, was substantially damaged during a hard landing following the deployment of its Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) near Lowville, New York. The Canadian-certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Details
The flight departed Bedford County Airport (HMZ) in Bedford, Pennsylvania, and was destined for Montreal Mirabel International Airport (CYMX) in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 9,000 feet mean sea level, which was 1,000 feet above clouds. The autopilot was engaged in navigation mode, proceeding direct to the next waypoint, Massena International Airport (MSS), Massena, New York.
Sequence of Events
Air traffic control (ATC) requested the pilot turn right 20° or more, which the pilot complied with by switching the autopilot to heading mode and selecting the desired heading. ATC then advised the pilot to proceed back on course. The pilot selected the autopilot back to navigation mode but did not select direct MSS on the GPS. He realized he was returning to his previous navigation course and then selected direct MSS and navigation mode again. By the time he returned his attention to the primary flight display (PFD), the airplane was descending out of control through clouds. The depicted horizon on the PFD did not appear correct, and the pilot activated the CAPS.
Pilot Experience
The pilot reported a total flight experience of 292 hours, of which 220 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
Wreckage Examination
Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane descended via parachute and landed upright in a field. After all occupants egressed, wind gusts blew the parachute, inverting the airplane. Further examination by a National Transportation Safety Board structural engineer found that during the upright landing on firm ground, the nose landing gear collapsed and both main landing gear spread outward, resulting in substantial damage to the primary structure.
Data Recording Issues
Examination of the PFD revealed it did not record any data. A check of the PFD's serial number by the manufacturer indicated it was 16 years old and had not had a software update in 12 years. Consequently, the PFD, multifunction display, and autopilot did not record any data. Without the data, the investigation could not determine if the autopilot was engaged or disengaged at the time of the loss of controlled flight.