Cirrus Design CORP SR22 accident near Columbus, Ohio, June 19, 2011
On June 19, 2011 at about 12:42 pm local time, a Cirrus Design CORP SR22, registered N526PG, was destroyed in an accident during takeoff near Columbus, Ohio (Rickenbacker Int'L Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's spatial disorientation during the takeoff into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2011 · about 12:42 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, Ohio · Rickenbacker Int'L Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus Design CORP SR22
- Registration
- N526PG · no longer on the register · serial 2963
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions, the airplane was cleared for a left turn. Shortly thereafter, the airplane entered a left climbing turn, and the pilot engaged the autopilot. The flight director subsequently commanded a right roll and a decrease in pitch attitude. (The GPS steering command was set to navigate to a waypoint, and the shortest way to get there was a turn to the right.) The airspeed decreased to 105 knots and the bank angle was over 45 degrees left-wing low, so the aural underspeed alert activated because of the risk of stall. The nose-up pitch attitude decreased through level flight and entered a nose-down attitude; the left bank angle continued to increase. The underspeed alert ceased when the airplane reached an airspeed of 141 knots; the airplane was at a maximum left bank angle of 72 degrees and a maximum nose-down attitude of 24 degrees. Recorded data showed the engine was producing power throughout the flight and the autopilot was operating normally. An examination of the engine and airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. Given that the autopilot was set such that it would command a right turn when engaged, yet the pilot was instructed by the air traffic controller to turn left, it is likely that the pilot was overpowering the autopilot system to comply with the instructions. According to the airplane manufacturer, it would only take 17 pounds of force to override the autopilot in pitch and 3 to 5 pounds to override the roll. Further, given the instrument conditions that were present at the time, it is likely that the pilot experience spatial disorientation and did not recognize the effects of his inputs. oxicological results indicated the pilot had taken a sedating medication at some point before the accident; however, the levels were such that a determination of the level of impairment was not possible.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Spatial disorientation › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Low ceiling › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 509 hours in all; 236 in this make and model; 57 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 377 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 17, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 483 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 18, 2011; 43 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550-N (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Buds Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: LCK Columbus OH at 12:40 pm
- Destination: Caldwell NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 23R, 11,902 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 500 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 12:41 pm from LCK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.