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NTSB Report

August 3, 2022 · Cirrus Design SR20 · N459BT

Nixon, PA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 3, 2022
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Nixon, PA
Aircraft
Cirrus Design SR20 (2002)
Tail Number
N459BT
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA22LA352

The pilot reported, that while departing from the runway the right cockpit door opened. The pilot was unable to close the door and he decided to return to the airport to close the door on the ground. While on final approach and near the runway, the pilot thought he heard the stall warning horn, so he immediately flared the airplane to land. The airplane bounced twice on the runway, so the pilot attempted to abort the landing by advancing the throttle. The airplane veered to the left, exited the runway, and the pilot reduced the throttle in an attempt to maintain directional control. The airplane then struck the runway’s precision approach path indicator before coming to rest in a ditch. The airplane’s firewall was substantially damaged. Following the accident, the pilot stated, “In hindsight I don't think the sound I heard was the stall warning horn, but rather the sound squealing through the partially open door which confused me into thinking the aircraft had stalled.” Given this information, it is likely that the pilot was distracted by the open right door during the landing, which contributed to his loss of control during the landing attempt. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after the accident reported that she did not observe evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, and specifically that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane’s right door latch. Given this information, it is also likely that the pilot had failed to ensure that the door was properly secured prior to departing on the accident flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing, resulting in a runway excursion. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane’s right side door was properly secured prior to departing on the accident flight, and his subsequent distraction due to the door during the landing attempt.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported, that while departing from the runway the right cockpit door opened. The pilot was unable to close the door and he decided to return to the airport to close the door on the ground. While on final approach and near the runway, the pilot thought he heard the stall warning horn, so he immediately flared the airplane to land. The airplane bounced twice on the runway, so the pilot attempted to abort the landing by advancing the throttle. The airplane veered to the left, exited the runway, and the pilot reduced the throttle in an attempt to maintain directional control. The airplane then struck the runway’s precision approach path indicator before coming to rest in a ditch. The airplane’s firewall was substantially damaged. Following the accident, the pilot stated, “In hindsight I don't think the sound I heard was the stall warning horn, but rather the sound squealing through the partially open door which confused me into thinking the aircraft had stalled.” Given this information, it is likely that the pilot was distracted by the open right door during the landing, which contributed to his loss of control during the landing attempt. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after the accident reported that she did not observe evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, and specifically that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane’s right door latch. Given this information, it is also likely that the pilot had failed to ensure that the door was properly secured prior to departing on the accident flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:25 EDT
Nearest AirportPittsburgh/Butler Rgnl (0.5nm N)
Runway26
Runway Length4801 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCirrus Design SR20
Tail NumberN459BT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360-ES · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 32 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time12:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data