History of Flight
On July 1, 2021, about 0755 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22, registration N123RE, was destroyed in an accident at Lamoni Municipal Airport (LWD), Lamoni, Iowa. The private pilot and one passenger died. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed Creston Municipal Airport (CSQ), Creston, Iowa, at 0736 and flew to LWD. The pilot received flight-following from air traffic control (ATC) until about 14 miles northwest of LWD, an uncontrolled airport. The pilot did not report any concerns before leaving the frequency. The last ADS-B information showed the airplane on short final to runway 36 at LWD with a groundspeed of 74 knots.
Several witnesses reported the airplane bounced during landing on runway 36, followed by an increase in engine noise “as if just making a touch and go.” They then observed the airplane bank left, with the left wing tip striking the ground. The airplane “cartwheeled” and impacted the ground left of the runway. A postimpact fire ensued, and the pilot and passenger were unable to exit the airplane.
Personnel Information
The pilot began flying in 2019. On November 4, 2020, the pilot failed a practical test for a private pilot certificate, requiring reexamination in takeoffs, landings, go-arounds, and navigation. On December 28, 2020, the pilot earned a private pilot certificate in a Cessna 172. On March 28, 2021, the pilot completed transition training for the SR22, which included about 23 hours of flight instruction.
Aircraft and Airport Information
The airplane was equipped with an emergency egress hammer located in the center armrest, described in the pilot operating handbook's emergency procedures section.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane first contacted the ground about 75 feet left of the runway edge and about 1,050 feet beyond the runway 36 threshold. Left wingtip debris was found about 60 feet beyond the initial ground scar, with the debris path on a heading of about 300°. Ground scars consistent with propeller blade strikes were located about 15 feet beyond the left wingtip debris, with about 3 feet between the five scars. The airplane came to rest in a soybean field about 60 feet beyond the propeller strike scars.
The airplane sustained significant fire damage. Flight control continuity was confirmed, and the wing flaps were retracted. The engine separated from the airframe during impact. Engine continuity was established throughout the rotating group, valve train, and accessory section during hand rotation of the crankshaft. No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions was found during postaccident examinations.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy of the pilot performed by the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner, Ankeny, Iowa, listed the cause of death as thermal injuries and smoke inhalation. Toxicology testing identified a carboxyhemoglobin saturation of 23% in the pilot’s blood, consistent with smoke inhalation.
Additional Information
The FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge describes torque as the left turning tendency of an airplane, comprising four elements: torque reaction from engine and propeller, corkscrewing effect of the slipstream, gyroscopic action of the propeller, and asymmetric loading of the propeller (P-factor). These effects vary with flight conditions, requiring pilot compensation through flight controls.