What happened
On 26 March 2024, a Cirrus SR22T, registration G-RGSK, was performing a series of circuits at Duxford Airfield. During the third circuit, the aircraft experienced a bounce upon touchdown. In an attempt to execute a go-around, the pilot applied full power. However, this sudden increase in thrust, combined with a high nose attitude, caused the aircraft to yaw and roll sharply to the left. The aircraft entered a sustained stall, with the left wing striking the ground first. The impact was severe enough to trigger the deployment of the aircraft's ballistic parachute system. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and recovered data from a crash-hardened memory module. The analysis revealed that the aircraft's pitch attitude increased significantly following the bounce, reaching 13.7° before the loss of control. As the pilot applied full power, the aircraft's 'Normalized' Angle of Attack (AOA) reached a value of 1, indicating a stalled condition. The investigation also noted that the pilot had relatively limited experience on this specific aircraft type, with only 16 hours of flight time on the SR22T. Furthermore, the pilot had not flown for 54 days prior to the accident.
Regarding the aircraft's safety systems, the investigation found that the ballistic parachute deployed due to the structural disruption of the cockpit roof during impact, rather than manual activation. The investigation also highlighted that the external warning placards for the parachute system were difficult to see from a distance.
Findings
- The accident was caused by insufficient right rudder application to counter the left-turning tendencies (torque and P-factor) produced by the sudden application of full power.
- A high nose attitude following a bounced landing contributed to the aircraft reaching a critical angle of attack.
- The aircraft entered a self-sustaining left roll and yaw that was not corrected.
- The pilot's relatively low experience on type and lack of recent flying may have reduced the ability to manage the unexpected aerodynamic forces.
- The aircraft's wing remained in a stalled state for approximately five seconds prior to impact.