Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Western Michigan University
Location: Angola, Indiana
Accident Number: CEN22LA107
Date and Time: January 20, 2022, 19:00 Local
Registration: N42VR
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The cross-country flight was being conducted by a flight instructor and pilot in conjunction with an instrument rating course from a Part 141 flight school. According to the flight instructor, upon reaching the decision altitude, they transitioned to a visual descent to the runway. During the descent, the airplane impacted trees and the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and continued to the runway for landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing, and both horizontal stabilizers.
The pilot stated that after terminating use of the view limiting device and she transitioned to visual references, she continued to glance back at the glideslope indicator, which showed that they were low on the approach. Shortly thereafter, a tree appeared in front of them, about the same time as they felt the impact. She stated that the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) would not turn on and there was not a current Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) for the outage.
The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate terrain clearance during an approach. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action when the airplane descended too low after transitioning to a visual descent to the runway.
Findings
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Student/instructed pilot
Aircraft Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Delayed action - Instructor/check pilot
Personnel issues Monitoring equip/instruments - Instructor/check pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Approach-IFR final approach Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)
Flight instructor Information
Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 23,Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: October 4, 2021
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 30, 2021
Flight Time: 335 hours (Total, all aircraft), 260 hours (Total, this make and model), 278 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 45 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Student pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 20, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: November 12, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 17, 2020
Flight Time: 132 hours (Total, all aircraft), 43 hours (Total, this make and model), 131 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 14 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP
Registration: N42VR
Model/Series: SR20
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1673
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 11, 2021 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7141 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO360-ES27B
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 200 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot school (141)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Night/dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGWB,880 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 18:35 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 178°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 4500 ft AGL
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 340°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.5 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -7°C / -13°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Battle Creek, WI (KBTL)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Angola, IN
Type of Clearance: VFR flight following
Departure Time: 18:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: TRI-STATE STEUBEN COUNTY ANQ
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 995 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 05
IFR Approach: RNAV
Runway Length/Width: 4540 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Straight-in
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.638739,-85.084952
Location: Angola, Indiana
Accident Number: CEN22LA107
Date and Time: January 20, 2022, 19:00 Local
Registration: N42VR
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP
Registration: N42VR
Model/Series: SR20
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot school (141)
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: NightDark
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGWB,880 ft msl
Observation Time: 18:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -7°C /-13°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 340°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 4500 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.5 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Battle Creek, WI (KBTL)
Destination: Angola, IN
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.638739,-85.084952
