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The course consisted of 15.0 hours of flight time, 0.8 hours in a flight training device (simulator), 3.0 hours of ground instruction, and 5.0 of pre and post flight instruction. |
All of the course flight time was with a flight instructor (dual instruction). |
The pilot provided information to Cirrus regarding his flight experience prior to the transition training course. |
He noted that his most recent flight review was completed on March 23, 2007, and that his most recent instrument proficiency check was completed 10 months prior to the training. |
He reported a total flight time of 1,344 hours total flight time, with 1,280 hours as pilot-in-command, 1,250 hours in high performance/complex airplanes, and 400 hours instrument flight time. |
He reported 20 hours flight time within the one year period prior to the training, with 4 hours of instrument flight time. |
Within the 90-day period prior to the training course, he reported accumulating 5 hours total time, with no instrument flight time. |
He reported experience in Beech model 60 (Duke), Mooney, and Cessna 172 airplanes. |
AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe accident airplane was a 2007 Cirrus Design SR22, serial number 2695. |
It was a four place, low wing, fixed tricycle landing gear configuration; primarily of composite (fiberglass) construction. |
The airplane was powered by a 310-horsepower Teledyne Continental Motors IO-550-N50B engine, serial number 691346, and installed with a Hartzell PHC-J3YF-1N/N7605B propeller, serial number FP6011B. |
A normal category, standard airworthiness certificate was issued for the airplane on September 12, 2007. |
The accident pilot purchased the airplane on October 7, 2008. |
The maintenance log entry for the most recent annual inspection was dated the same day. |
The airplane had accumulated 224.1 hours at the time of last maintenance entry dated October 9, 2008. |
The logs did not contain a record of any unresolved maintenance issues. |
The minimum published power off stall speed for the accident airplane with the wing flaps retracted was 67 knots calibrated airspeed. |
This speed corresponded to a wings level (zero bank angle), maximum gross weight, and aft most center-of-gravity flight condition. |
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATIONThe closest weather reporting facility to the accident site was located at the departure airport. |
At 1545, weather conditions at CGF were recorded as: Wind 360 degrees at 8 knots; visibility 4 miles in light rain and mist; overcast clouds at 300 feet above ground level (agl), temperature 7 degrees C, dew point 6 degrees C, altimeter 30.38 inches of Hg. |
At 1616, wind 010 degrees at 8 knots; visibility 4 miles in light rain and mist; overcast clouds at 200 feet agl; temperature 7 degrees C; dew point 6 degrees C; altimeter 30.38 inches of Hg. |
At 1645, wind 010 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles in light rain and mist, overcast clouds at 300 feet agl, temperature 7 degrees C, dew point 6 degrees C, altimeter 30.40 inches of Hg. |
AIRPORT INFORMATIONThe Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF) was served by a single runway. |
Runway 6-24 was 5,102 feet long by 100 feet wide. |
Runway 6 was supported by non-precision runway markings, Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL), and a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) set to a 3-degree approach path angle. |
Runway 24 was supported by precision runway markings, a Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System (MALSR), and a Precision Path Lighting System (PAPI) set to a 3-degree approach path angle. |
The published airport elevation was 879 feet. |
Instrument approaches to CGF included the Instrument Landing System (ILS) Runway 24, the Localizer Back Course (LOC BC) Runway 6, and the Global Positioning System (GPS) Runway 6 procedures. |
The decision altitude (DA) for the ILS Runway 24 approach was 1,079 feet msl (200 feet agl). |
The minimum descent altitudes (MDA) for the LOC BC Runway 6 and GPS Runway 6 approaches were 1,380 feet msl (507 feet agl) and 1,360 feet msl (481 feet agl), respectively. |
The FAA Airport Facility Directory noted that the runway 24 localizer was unusable below 3,000 feet msl beyond a range of 10 nm. |
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONThe accident site was located approximately 3 miles east of CGF in a small wooded area adjacent to a church. |
The debris field was oriented on an approximate magnetic heading of 300 degrees and extended approximately 60 feet. |
The initial ground impact scar was about 15 feet long by 6 feet wide and up to 3 feet deep. |
Fresh breaks in the tree limbs were observed about 40 feet southeast of the impact point. |
The heights of the initial tree breaks were estimated to be 65 feet. |
The main wreckage, which included the fuselage and wings, was located about 45 feet from the initial ground impact. |
The fuselage was destroyed by impact forces and post-impact fire. |
The engine was separated from the fuselage and came to rest approximately 5 feet from the fuselage. |
The propeller hub remained attached to the engine. |
However, all three propeller blades had separated from the propeller hub near the blade root. |
Two propeller blades were located in the initial impact ground scar. |
The third propeller blade was located in the debris field near the engine. |
The wings were reduced by the post impact fire. |
The wing spar was located in position relative to the fuselage. |
Both the ailerons and flaps were separated from the wing. |
They were located in the debris field between the impact ground scar and the main wreckage. |
Aileron control cable continuity was confirmed with one exception. |
The left aileron control cable was separated between the actuator pulley and the crossover cable turnbuckle. |
The cable strands were frayed at the separation point consistent with an overload failure. |
The aileron (roll) trim motor was observed to be in approximately the neutral position. |
The flap actuator shaft was extended approximately 4 inches, which was consistent with a full UP (0-degree) flap position. |
The landing gear assemblies with sections of the mating support structure were separated from the wing. |
The nose landing gear was located at the initial ground impact scar. |
The left and right main landing gear assemblies were located in the debris field near the ground scar. |
The horizontal stabilizer was separated from the airframe and located near the impact scar. |
It was deformed consistent with impact damage and discolored consistent with thermal exposure due to the post impact fire. |
The right elevator and the inboard section of the left elevator remained attached to the stabilizer. |
The outboard section of the left elevator was located in the debris field. |
Elevator control cable continuity was confirmed from the elevator control torque tube to the bellcrank at the fuselage station 306 bulkhead and continuing to the forward pulley gang. |
The elevator (pitch) trim motor was observed in approximately a neutral position. |
The vertical stabilizer exhibited thermal and impact damage. |
The upper section of the vertical was separated from the empennage. |
The rudder, which exhibited thermal and impact damage, remained attached to the empennage at the lower hinge. |
Rudder control cable continuity was confirmed from the rudder pedal torque tube to the rudder bellcrank at the fuselage station 306 bulkhead and continuing to the forward pulley gang. |
The engine crankcase was fractured consistent with impact. |
The crankshaft exhibited signatures consist with a spiral fracture aft of the propeller flange near the forward thrust bearing. |
The cylinders remained secured to the crankcase. |
Examination of the cylinders, pistons, and valve faces using a lighted borescope did not reveal any anomalies. |
Appearance of the cylinders and pistons was consistent with normal operating signatures. |
The spark plugs appeared intact and the electrodes exhibited a light gray appearance consistent with normal operation. |
The magnetos were partially disassembled and produced a spark at the magneto points. |
The fuel pump exhibited operation when the mixture control was operated through its full range of travel. |
The oil filter element appeared free of debris. |
The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) components were located with the fuselage wreckage. |
The parachute remained packed in the deployment bag and the activation handle was observed in the stowed position relative to the activation handle holder. |
The CAPS ground safety pin was not installed. |
(Pre-flight procedures specify removal of the safety pin prior to flight in order to ready the system for use in the event of an in-flight emergency.) No anomalies consistent with a pre-impact failure or malfunction associated with the airframe or engine were observed. |
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATIONAn autopsy of the pilot was conducted on April 29, 2009, at the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office in Cleveland, Ohio. |
The cause of death was attributed to blunt impact sustained in the accident. |
The Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aero Medical Institute toxicology report was negative for all substances in the screening profile. |
TESTS AND RESEARCHThe autopilot and PFD in the accident airplane were integrated. |
The pilot selected and armed autopilot modes on the autopilot unit. |
Heading and altitude selections were made on the PFD. |
In addition, autopilot status and mode information was displayed to the pilot on the PFD, as well as on the face of the autopilot unit. |
The autopilot was capable of maintaining a set heading or tracking navigation signals such as an instrument approach course. |
In addition, the autopilot can maintain a preset altitude, or a specified climb or descent rate (vertical speed) to intercept a preset altitude. |
Heading, altitude and vertical speed settings are input by the pilot via the PFD. |
They are referred to as “bug” settings. |
The altitude hold mode is selected by pressing the ALT button on the face of the autopilot unit. |
When pressed, the autopilot will capture airplane’s current altitude in the altitude bug and will set the vertical speed bug to zero. |
These are displayed to the pilot on the PFD. |
The vertical speed mode is selected by pressing the VS button on the face of the autopilot unit. |
When pressed, the autopilot will capture and attempt to maintain the current vertical speed bug setting. |
The pilot is able to adjust the climb/descent rate by adjusting the vertical speed bug setting. |
In addition, the autopilot has ability to maintain a specified climb or descent rate and intercept a pre-set altitude; known as the altitude pre-select mode. |
The pilot enters the desired altitude and vertical speed values into the corresponding bug settings via the PFD. |
Once entered, the pilot will press and hold the VS button on the autopilot unit, followed by the ALT button. |
This button combination will engage the vertical speed mode and arm the altitude hold mode. |
In the event that the altitude pre-set mode is selected with the altitude bug set below the airplane’s current altitude, the autopilot will set a descent rate into the vertical speed bug in order to intercept the pre-set altitude. |