What happened
On September 27, 2024, at approximately 10:10 mountain daylight time, a Cirrus Design Corp SR22, registration N831AZ, was destroyed in an accident near Provo, Utah. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The aircraft was occupied by the pilot and a pilot-rated passenger, both of whom sustained 2 fatal injuries.
According to Air Traffic Control Tower recordings, the controller instructed the pilot to enter the airport traffic pattern on the downwind leg for runway 13. The controller later advised the pilot that another aircraft was on final approach and instructed the pilot to follow it. The pilot confirmed the other aircraft was in sight, and the controller approved a base turn at the pilot's discretion. As the aircraft crossed the approach end of runway 13, the controller instructed the pilot to perform a go-around because an airplane was on the runway. The pilot acknowledged the instruction and confirmed the other aircraft was still on the runway. After the controller asked if a right turn to the downwind leg was possible, the pilot confirmed it was, and the controller cleared the aircraft to land on runway 13. No further radio transmissions were recorded.
Airport surveillance video showed a different aircraft performing a touch-and-go landing on runway 13. The N831AZ then became visible; at approximately 50 feet above ground level, the aircraft entered a climb and veered to the right. At that time, the two aircraft appeared to be roughly 200 feet apart.
Preliminary ADS-B data indicated the aircraft remained within the airport traffic pattern, turning onto the downwind leg at a ground speed of approximately 110 knots. Shortly before initiating a right turn to the base leg, the ground speed decreased to about 80 knots. The ADS-B signal ended over Utah Lake near the accident site. A witness in another aircraft reported seeing the airplane bank sharply then stall before entering a rapid descent involving three rotations. The witness also noted that the aircraft's parachute began to deploy just before impact with the water.
The aircraft came to rest submerged in approximately 9 feet of water, about 2 miles northwest of the approach end of runway 13. The wreckage was heavily fragmented. While most major components were recovered, the propeller assembly, both ailerons, and both flaps were missing from the recovered wreckage.