http://registry.faa.gov/N80KW
NTSB Identification: ERA13LA012
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, October 06, 2012 in Birmingham, AL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/25/2013
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22, registration: N80KW
Injuries: 1 Serious,1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The airplane was in instrument meteorological conditions, and the pilot intended to fly an instrument landing system approach. Review of non-volatile memory data revealed that the autopilot approach mode was armed as the airplane intercepted the localizer course and was descending toward 2,600 feet mean sea level (msl). At that time, the autopilot was selected to vertical speed (VS) mode with the altitude armed rather than selected to the altitude mode, which is one of the criteria for automatically arming the glideslope (GS) mode later in the approach. About 1 minute later, the autopilot automatically cancelled the VS mode and switched to altitude mode as the airplane reached 2,600 feet msl. However, at that time the airplane was above the glideslope by 53 percent needle deflection. The autopilot will not automatically arm the GS mode unless, in addition to the altitude mode being selected, the airplane is more than 10 percent needle deflection below the glideslope. As a result, the airplane remained above the glideslope until the autopilot was disconnected about 1 minute later. The pilot then attempted to hand-fly a missed approach; however, he was unable to maintain the heading or altitude assigned by air traffic control. He subsequently lost control of the airplane during a turn and elected to deploy the airplane's parachute system. The airplane came to rest in a vacant lot.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's overreliance on the autopilot system and his inability to hand-fly the airplane once the autopilot was disconnected.
On October 6, 2012, at 1217 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22, N80KW, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during impact with terrain, after deployment of the Cirrus Airplane Parachute System (CAPS), following a loss of control during a missed approach at Birmingham International Airport (BHM), Birmingham, Alabama. The private pilot incurred minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Charles B Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC), Kansas City, Missouri; destined for BHM.
The pilot stated that while on the instrument landing system approach to runway 6 at BHM, he reported missed approach at 2,000 feet mean sea level (msl) to the BHM air traffic control tower. The tower controller instructed the pilot to fly the runway heading; however, the pilot reported to the controller that he was unable due to weather. The tower controller then instructed the pilot to fly a heading of 180 degrees and climb to 4,000 feet. The pilot acknowledged the instruction and during the turn, lost control of the airplane. He then observed the altimeter indicating a descent through 1,700 feet and elected to deploy the CAPS. The airplane subsequently descended via parachute and came to rest in a commercial parking lot, about 2 miles south of BHM.
Review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded radio communications between N80KW and BHM tower revealed that after the pilot declared a missed approach, the tower controller instructed the pilot to fly runway heading and climb to 4,000 feet. The pilot replied "Okay, I'm way off of runway heading…" and did not make any mention of not being able to turn due to weather. The controller then instructed the pilot twice to climb to 4,000 feet and make a left turn to 360 degrees as the airplane was approaching an antenna to the south. After a third query, the pilot replied that he was "going, trying to get around." About 20 seconds later, the pilot reported that he was "going down."
Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and a puncture of the left wing near the left main landing gear.
The airplane was equipped with an Avidyne primary flight display (PFD), which was forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory, Washington, DC. The unit contained non-volatile memory, which was successfully downloaded. Review of the data revealed that the autopilot was engaged shortly after takeoff and remained on until 1215. At 1213, the autopilot approach mode was armed as the airplane was descending to 2,600 feet msl and had intercepted the localizer course. The autopilot was selected to vertical speed (VS) mode with the altitude armed, rather than the altitude mode. At 1214, the VS mode was automatically cancelled (and the autopilot automatically switched to altitude mode) as the airplane reached 2,600 feet; however, at that time the airplane was above the glideslope (GS) by 53 percent needle deflection. The airplane remained above the GS until the autopilot was disconnected at 1215 and the CAPS was deployed about 1217. According a representative from the PFD manufacturer, the autopilot would automatically arm the GS mode, provided seven criteria were met. Two of the seven criteria were altitude mode engaged and airplane no more than 10 percent needle deflection below GS (airplane above GS).
Review of the data did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot reported a total flight experience of 1,944.7 hours; of which, 1,450 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. He reported 17 and 75 total hours of actual and simulated instrument experience, respectively.
The recorded weather at BHM, at 1153, included an overcast ceiling at 700 feet above ground level (1,350 msl).
NTSB Identification: ERA13LA012
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, October 06, 2012 in Birmingham, AL
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22, registration: N80KW
Injuries: 1 Serious,1 Minor.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On October 6, 2012, about 1215 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22, N80KW, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during deployment of the Cirrus Airplane Parachute System (CAPS), following a loss of control during a missed approach at Birmingham International Airport (BHM), Birmingham, Alabama. The private pilot incurred minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Charles B Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC), Kansas City, Missouri; destined for BHM.
The pilot stated that while on the instrument landing system approach to runway 6 at BHM, he reported missed approach at 2,000 feet to the BHM air traffic control tower. The tower controller instructed the pilot to fly the runway heading; however, the pilot reported to the controller that he was unable due to weather. The tower controller then instructed the pilot to fly a heading of 180 degrees and climb to 4,000 feet. The pilot acknowledged the instruction and during the turn, lost control of the airplane. He then observed the altimeter indicating a descent through 1,700 feet and elected to deploy the CAPS. The airplane subsequently descended and came to rest in a commercial parking lot, about 2 miles south of BHM.
Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the fuselage and a puncture of the left wing near the left main landing gear.
The airplane was equipped with a remote data module (RDM), intended to record flight and engine parameters. The inspector recovered the RDM from the airplane and forwarded it to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC, for data download.
The recorded weather at BHM, at 1153, included an overcast ceiling at 700 feet above ground level (1350 feet above mean sea level).
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 80KW Make/Model: SR22 Description: SR-22
Date: 10/06/2012 Time: 1717
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: BIRMINGHAM State: AL Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES. BIRMINGHAM, AL
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: BIRMINGHAM, AL (SO09) Entry date: 10/09/2012
CBS42 speaks with Pilot Billy Sprague by phone. Sprague managed to crash land his single engine plane in the heart of Downtown Birmingham Alabama without hurting anyone. Sprague walked away without injury. His passenger suffered minor injuries.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)-- The lot outside of The Furnace a Birmingham gentlemen’s club, isn't usually reserved for aircrafts. On Saturday October 6th the pilot of a Cirrus SR22 was forced to make an emergency landing outside of the business near downtown Birmingham.
"He was in the clouds at the time. He kind of lost his bearings. He was in touch with the tower and was forced to make this emergency landing due to visibility problems,” said Birmingham Fire Department Battalion Chief C.W. Mardis.
Mardis says the pilot and one passenger inside the small plane were headed to Tampa from Kansas City and were attempting to refuel in Birmingham.
The pilot's experience and quick thinking aren't the only things being credited for his successful emergency landing.
A parachute attached to the plane served as a lifesaver.
"When you have a plane that small the parachute is a very vital component for safety so he did the right thing and we're glad he did and we came away basically he, unscathed and his passenger with minor injuries,” said Mardis.
Public Information Officer, Sgt. Johnny Williams with the Birmingham Police Department is grateful no one else was injured as a result of the crash.
“Maybe it was luck, maybe it was skill, maybe a little bit of both but we're happy that no one else was injured and no other property was damage."
The passenger was taken to UAB hospital with bumps and bruises, the pilot though visibly unharmed was also taken to the hospital to be checked out.
UPDATE: CBS 42 has confirmed that the pilot of this plane is Billy Wayne Sprague of Key West, Florida.
A Cirrus SR22 aircraft crashed in an open field between 28th Street North and 2nd Avenue North, just east of downtown Birmingham.
Police units responded to reports of a plane crash at 12:30 p.m., according to Johnny Williams, public information officer for Birmingham Police Department.
"There were no injuries to anyone that was on the ground," Williams said. "We do have minor injuries to one female that was inside. The pilot walked away with no injuries."
The female passenger was taken to UAB Hospital for treatment.
The woman sustained body bruises and aches, according to C.W. Mardis, spokesman for the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services.
Mardis said the plane was scheduled to stop in Birmingham to refuel. He also reported 27 gallons of gasoline left on the plane, 10 of which were spilled in the crash.
"We were able to put booms down and absorbent material to soak it all up," he said. "Right now we're waiting on NTSB to assess of the damage."
Williams said that the two were traveling from Kansas City, Missouri when the pilot radioed to the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport citing problems.
According to Mardis, the pilot was disoriented due to poor visibility. He then deployed a parachute attached to the plane.
"The parachute is part of the safety component," he said.
According to the website Flightaware.com, the plane is registered to Two Flyers LLC in Key West, Florida. It left Kansas City at 9:18 a.m. central time and was scheduled to land in at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport at 12:12 p.m.
Story, photos, video and comments: http://blog.al.com
Birmingham Police are working a single-engine plane crash at the intersection of 2nd Avenue North and 28th Street SW.
Police units responded to reports of a plane crash at 12:30 p.m., according to Johnny Williams, public information officer for Birmingham Police Department.
"There were no injuries to anyone that was on the ground," Williams said. "We do have minor injuries to one female that was inside. The pilot walked away with no injuries."
The female passenger was taken to UAB Hospital for treatment.
The woman sustained body bruises and aches, according to C.W. Mardis, spokesman for the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services.
Mardis said the plane was scheduled to stop in Birmingham to refuel. He also reported 27 gallons of gasoline left on the plane, 10 of which were spilled in the crash.
"We were able to put booms down and absorbent material to soak it all up," he said. "Right now we're waiting on NTSB to assess of the damage."
Williams said that the two were traveling from Kansas City, Missouri when the pilot radioed to the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport citing problems.
According to Mardis, the pilot was disoriented due to poor visibility. He then deployed a parachute attached to the plane.
"The parachute is part of the safety component," he said.
According to the website Flightaware.com, the plane is registered to Two Flyers LLC in Key West, Florida. It left Kansas City at 9:18 a.m. central time and was scheduled to land in at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport at 12:12 p.m.
Story, photos, video and comments: http://blog.al.com
Birmingham Police are working a single-engine plane crash at the intersection of 2nd Avenue North and 28th Street SW.
Sgt.
Johnnie Williams confirmed to ABC 33/40 that a male pilot along with a
female passenger made a crash landing in a field near the gentlemen's
club The Furnace.
The couple was flying to Tampa, Fla. from Kansas City, Missouri and
planned to land at Birmingham International Airport to refuel, but low
clouds caused poor visibility, leading to the accident.
Witnesses reported seeing a parachute deployed. The Cirrus SR22 plane they were flying was equipped with the Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System. In the event of an emergency like the one today, the plane's parachute is deployed assisting in slowing the descent of the aircraft to the ground.
The pilot was not hurt, but the female was taken to UAB Hospital with minor injuries.
According to FlightAware, the plane took off from Wheeler Downtown Airport in Kansas City at 9:18 a.m. and was schedule to land at BHM at 12:18 p.m., but instead landed in the field near The Furnace. The plane had flown the same flight plan as the pilot's today, but with opposite destinations, just 10 days ago on September 27. The plane made a stop in Birmingham that day in between flying from Peter O'Knight Airport in Tampa to Kansas City.
http://www.abc3340.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)-- The pilot of a Cirrus SR22 was forced to make an emergency landing in downtown Birmingham Saturday afternoon.
According to Birmingham Fire Chief C.W. Mardis the pilot and one passenger were headed to Tampa, FL from Kansas City. They were making a stop at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to refuel when low visibility caused complications for the pilot.
Sgt. Johnny Williams with the Birmingham Police Department says the pilot walked away uninjured but was taken to the hospital as a precaution. The passenger suffered minor injuries and was transported to UAB Hospital.
Mardis credits the experience and quick thinking of the pilot for minimal their injuries and the safety of other who may have been in the area when the plane went down. A parachute attached to the plane helped with the landing.
UPDATE: CBS 42 has confirmed that the pilot of this plane is Billy Wayne Sprague of Key West, Florida.
Stay with us for the latest information.
Witnesses reported seeing a parachute deployed. The Cirrus SR22 plane they were flying was equipped with the Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System. In the event of an emergency like the one today, the plane's parachute is deployed assisting in slowing the descent of the aircraft to the ground.
The pilot was not hurt, but the female was taken to UAB Hospital with minor injuries.
According to FlightAware, the plane took off from Wheeler Downtown Airport in Kansas City at 9:18 a.m. and was schedule to land at BHM at 12:18 p.m., but instead landed in the field near The Furnace. The plane had flown the same flight plan as the pilot's today, but with opposite destinations, just 10 days ago on September 27. The plane made a stop in Birmingham that day in between flying from Peter O'Knight Airport in Tampa to Kansas City.
http://www.abc3340.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)-- The pilot of a Cirrus SR22 was forced to make an emergency landing in downtown Birmingham Saturday afternoon.
According to Birmingham Fire Chief C.W. Mardis the pilot and one passenger were headed to Tampa, FL from Kansas City. They were making a stop at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to refuel when low visibility caused complications for the pilot.
Sgt. Johnny Williams with the Birmingham Police Department says the pilot walked away uninjured but was taken to the hospital as a precaution. The passenger suffered minor injuries and was transported to UAB Hospital.
Mardis credits the experience and quick thinking of the pilot for minimal their injuries and the safety of other who may have been in the area when the plane went down. A parachute attached to the plane helped with the landing.
UPDATE: CBS 42 has confirmed that the pilot of this plane is Billy Wayne Sprague of Key West, Florida.
Stay with us for the latest information.
Cirrus SR22, (N80KW) is shown after crash landing in a field near 28th Street and 2nd Ave. North about 12:12 p.m. in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The plane is equipped with a parachute recovery system. The pilot was uninjured and a passenger had minor injuries and was taken to UAB hospital.
By Mark Almond
By Mark Almond
The plane came to rest in an overgrown field near downtown.
(Photo by Mark Almond)
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Birmingham police and fire departments are on the scene of a small plane crash just east of downtown, and one person has been taken to UAB Hospital with minor injuries.
The plane's pilot was uninjured, but his one passenger was taken to the hospital, according to police.
The plane, a Cirrus SR22, is in an overgrown grass field, just north of the intersection of Second Avenue and 28th Street North.
A parachute attached to the plane was deployed.
The plane landed slightly nose down, but there's no visible major damage.
Updated at 1:20 p.m. to report injury.
Story, photos and comments: http://blog.al.com
http://www.fotopedia.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)-- We have a crew on the scene of where a small plane went down in downtown Birmingham. Right now, officials are saying that it's a small, one engine plane with only two occupants.
The plane was coming from Kansas City, headed to the Birmingham airport. There was a parachute attached to the plane to assist in landing. The pilot walked away without injury but is being taken to hospital just as a precaution. The passenger suffered minor injuries.
