12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Cirrus SR-22 | N831AZ

September 27th, 2024 | Provo, Utah

Accident Location

  • City: Provo
  • State: Utah
  • Latitude: 40.246077
  • Longitude: -111.749500
  • Airport ID: KPVU

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N831AZ
  • Make: Cirrus
  • Model: SR-22
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Cox, Michael
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 43
  • Pilot Hours: 136
  • Flight School:
  • Instructional Flight:
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: September 27th, 2024
  • Time: 10:15 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Approach
  • Total People Onboard: 2
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 1
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 2
  • NTSB No: WPR24FA313
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot became distracted with the aircraft ahead of him in the traffic pattern, and entered fixation on that traffic after a previous go-around due to another traffic conflict, therefore losing speed awareness on the downwind leg turning base, and ultimately the inflight loss of DMMS and the loss of control (LOC) The Caps System parachute handle was pulled and the rocket motor fired but the activation altitude was too low to be effective. The data showed that a few moments later, just before the airplane initiated a right turn to the base leg for runway 13, and that the ground speed had decreased to about 80 knots. Shortly after the right turn was initiated, the ADS-B data ended over Utah Lake near the accident site. A witness in another airplane reported that they observed the accident airplane “bank sharply then stall” before it “fell into a rapid descent with 3 rotations.”

NTSB: 

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends all pilots of all aircraft to FLY YOUR OWN PLANE. Bug DMMS and be aware of min speed to fly at all times. Do not be distracted in flight by aircraft ahead of you. If necessary, extend your downwind but never lose awareness of your aircraft pitch and speed at any time.

NTSB:

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.