Runway excursion involving Cirrus SR20 at Buttonville Municipal Airport

Casualties unknown • CA

A privately owned Cirrus SR20 veered off the runway and struck a fence during a touch-and-go maneuver, resulting in significant aircraft damage but no serious injuries.

What happened

On 12 March 2019, a Cirrus SR20, registered C-FACJ, was performing flight training maneuvers at Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport (CYKZ). The flight was being conducted by a commercial pilot accompanied by a Class 1 instructor. The flight crew intended to perform circuits on Runway 33, beginning with a touch-and-go landing.

During the initial touchdown, the aircraft bounced. In an attempt to continue the takeoff portion of the maneuver, full power was applied. This resulted in a series of oscillations where the aircraft briefly became airborne before returning to the runway. During these subsequent contacts, the tail of the aircraft struck the runway surface. The aircraft eventually veered off the runway surface, striking a 4-foot-high fence located 60 feet beyond the runway end. After crossing 16th Avenue in a right bank with the wingtip dragging, the aircraft collided with the ground approximately 250 feet past the runway end. The two occupants sustained no significant injuries, though the aircraft suffered extensive damage to its propeller, landing gear, nose, tail, and wings.

The investigation

Investigators examined the aircraft's Avidyne FlightMax Entegra flight display, which captured engine and GPS data at 6-second intervals. Analysis of this data revealed that following the first touchdown, engine RPM and manifold pressure fluctuated significantly between full power and reduced power. Furthermore, the data showed that the aircraft's ground speed steadily declined from 61 knots at the initial touchdown to 52 knots just before the final impact.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced a series of bounces and oscillations during a touch-and-go attempt, characterized by fluctuating engine power and decreasing ground speed, which led to a runway excursion and subsequent ground impact.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2019-03-12 Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport (CYKZ), Ontario accident near CA?

A privately owned Cirrus SR20 veered off the runway and struck a fence during a touch-and-go maneuver, resulting in significant aircraft damage but no serious injuries.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-03-12 involved a Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport (CYKZ), Ontario, operated by Cirrus SR20, at CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft experienced a series of bounces and oscillations during a touch-and-go attempt, characterized by fluctuating engine power and decreasing ground speed, which led to a runway excursion and subsequent ground impact.

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