What happened
On January 3, 2025, at approximately 23:38 MST, a Cirrus Design Corporation SF-50, registration N603AP, was involved in an accident near Spearfish, South Dakota. The aircraft was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 for a personal flight.
Prior to landing at Black Hills Airport-Clyde Ice Field (SPF), the pilot was notified that the runway was covered with 1/8 inch of wet snow, though braking action was reported as good (5/5/5). The pilot performed a straight-in approach to runway 13, verifying the landing gear was down and intending to touch down at the landing reference speed (Vref).
During the landing phase, the pilot reported receiving an aerodynamic stall warning via the stick shaker approximately 8 to 10 feet above the ground. While the initial touchdown appeared normal, the aircraft began drifting to the left. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the aircraft struck a snowbank on the left side of the runway. All 6 occupants were not injured.
A passenger confirmed that the aircraft was aligned with the runway but slightly left of the centerline during approach. Upon touchdown, the aircraft drifted left, causing the left wing to strike a snowbank and resulting in a runway excursion. The aircraft came to rest with its nose perpendicular to the runway.
The investigation
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft at the airport ramp. The inspection revealed the following damage:
- Substantial damage to the right wing, including structural deformation, delamination, and damage to the fuel tank.
- Partial separation of the right aileron.
- The nose landing gear was collapsed.
- The right main landing gear was found retracted in the wheel well; when later extended, the tire was found to be flat.
- The left main landing gear was extended.
The inspector also noted runway wheel marks in the compressed snow. The aircraft touched down approximately 150 feet before the 1,000-foot touchdown zone markers. At the moment of touchdown, the left main wheel was 6 to 8 feet from the left edge of the runway. The aircraft departed the runway approximately 140 feet after touchdown, striking two runway edge lights during the excursion.