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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 16, 2021 · Cirrus Design SR22 · N4144B

Whitewater, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Whitewater, WI
Aircraft
Cirrus Design SR22 (2001)
Tail Number
N4144B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA232

The pilot reported that, during an instrument flight rules flight, he began receiving conflicting information from the flight instruments and digital flight information display. He stated that the turn coordinator and GPS were displaying opposite information, the heading bug was moving erratically, and he felt as if he was flying in circles. After determining that he could not rely on the information from the flight instruments, he elected to activate the Cirrus airframe parachute system. The airplane came to rest in a stand of trees, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident testing of the electronic horizonal situation indicator, directional gyro, and horizon reference indicator revealed no anomalies except for the directional gyro counterclockwise heading stability, which exceed the testing limits by about 3°. The heading stability finding, although outside the testing limits, would not result in the instrument anomalies reported by the pilot. The reason for the flight instrument disagreement/malfunction could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB Probable Cause

An inflight instrument malfunction for reasons that could not be determined based on available information, which led to the pilot’s decision to activate the airframe parachute system.

Full Narrative

On May 15, 2021, about 2115 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22, N4144B, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Whitewater, Wisconsin. The pilot and passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, while on an instrument flight rules flight, he began receiving conflicting information from the flight instruments and digital flight information display. He stated that the turn coordinator and GPS were displaying opposite information, the heading bug was moving erratically, and he felt as if he was flying in circles. After determining that he could not rely on the information from the flight instruments, he elected to activate the Cirrus airframe parachute system. The airplane came to rest in a stand of 60-ft-tall trees, resulting in substantial damage. The airplane was equipped with a Sandel SN3308 electronic horizontal situation indicator (EHSI), Mid-Continent 4305-150 directional gyro, BF Goodrich Aerospace horizon reference indicator, and the pilot was utilizing Foreflight on a personal tablet. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. External power was supplied to the airplane and all instruments powered up normally. The airplane was situated on a movable dolly cart which allowed for it to be manipulated to verify instrument functionality. The turn coordinator operated as designed when the empennage was moved, as did the horizon reference indicator. The EHSI powered up but displayed a configuration error; however, the remote gyro wire harness wires were cut during recovery and the flux detector was disconnected. The EHSI, directional gyro, and horizon reference indicator were removed and subsequently tested. The EHSI was connected to an automated tester, which tested the inputs and outputs of the unit. The unit passed all tests. The directional gyro was connected to 28V DC power. The heading was steady and did not drift. The unit passed all testing with the exception of counterclockwise heading stability. The limit for the test was ±2°, but the unit was at +5°. When the unit was shut down, the rotor coasted in excess of 9 minutes, consistent with a free and stable rotor. The horizon reference indicator was connected to an external power source and allowed time to steady the gyro. After caging the gyro, the unit was pitched up and down as well as rolled left and right. The unit responded as designed through all movements. Power was removed and the gyro coasted to a stop, consistent with a free gyro.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCirrus Design SR22
Tail NumberN4144B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO550 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightNight
Wind210° @ 5 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 F / 55 F
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data