Cirrus SR22T accident near Alexandria, Minnesota, March 29, 2013
On March 29, 2013 at about 3:45 pm local time, a Cirrus SR22T, registered N1967N, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Alexandria, Minnesota (Chandler Field, Alexandria). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of maintenance personnel to install a safety wire during reinstallation of the right flap, which led to the separation of the right flap rod from the right flap actuation fitting during flap extension. Contributing to the accident were inadequate inspections of the right flap during subsequent annual, prebuy, and preflight inspections.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 29, 2013 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Alexandria, Minnesota · Chandler Field, Alexandria · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus SR22T · all SR22Ts on the register
- Registration
- N1967N · no longer on the register · serial 0031
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 18 months prior to the accident flight, the airplane underwent maintenance to remove and replace both the left and right flaps. While on pattern downwind, the pilot adjusted flaps from up to half, at which time the right flap rod end separated from the right flap actuation fitting. The pilot initiated a climb and struggled to maintain roll control. He briefly adjusted flaps to the up position in an attempt to alleviate the problem, and then adjusted the flaps back to half. The pilot then adjusted the flaps from half to full and the airplane began to roll right due to flap asymmetry, eventually reaching 86 degrees of right bank. The airplane began to stall and the pilot initiated the airplane’s ballistic parachute recovery system about 509 feet above ground level. Subsequently, the airplane descended to the ground with the aid of the parachute and came to rest upright on a frozen lake. A postflight examination of the right flap rod end area revealed the mounting bolt and washer were missing and lying under the airplane. No evidence of a safety wire was present on the mounting bolt or on the right flap actuation fitting. The safety wire was most likely not installed when the right flap was reinstalled and went unnoticed for over 211 hours of operation. During this time there was a subsequent annual inspection at 114 hours prior to the accident and a pre-buy inspection at 101 hours prior to the accident.
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 approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during approach (VFR pattern downwind)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Scheduled/routine inspection › Maintenance personnel
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 138 hours in all; 80 in this make and model; 70 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 90 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 8, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 278 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 15, 2012; 114 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental TSIO550 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Y14 Marv Skie SD at 2:04 pm
- Destination: KAXN Alexandria MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KAXN, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
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.