Cirrus Design CORP SR22 accident near Port Aransas, Texas, April 24, 2021
On April 24, 2021 at about 6:12 pm local time, a 2005 Cirrus Design CORP SR22, registered N587CD, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Port Aransas, Texas (Mustang Beach airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 24, 2021 · about 6:12 pm local time
- Place
- Port Aransas, Texas · Mustang Beach · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus Design CORP SR22, built 2005
- Registration
- N587CD · no longer on the register · serial 1695
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Following the local flight, the pilot was approaching the airport for landing. Witnesses noted that the airplane was “low and slow” on the approach and almost touched down short of the runway. Before landing, the pilot appeared to initiate a go-around; the engine power increased, the airplane’s nose pitched up sharply, the left wing dropped, the engine power decreased, and the airplane impacted the ground inverted in a nose-low angle in front of a row of hangers adjacent to the runway. Video recorded by the front-seat passenger captured the accident flight and impact sequence. About 8 seconds before the impact, the video showed the flap selector switch in the UP (0%) position. About 5 seconds before the impact, the video and audio captured an increase in engine rpm, followed by a left roll, an immediate decrease in engine rpm, and impact with terrain in a left-wing low attitude. Data downloaded from the airplane’s primary flight display showed that just prior to the accident, the airplane’s nose pitched to about 22o, as the airplane rolled to the left and then descended rapidly with a pitch of 30o nose down. The airspeed at the time the data ended was 71 knots. The left roll continued until the data ended. The airplane was destroyed during the impact sequence. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot’s operating handbook for the airplane, normal landings should be made with the flaps fully extended. Based on the cell phone video, witness observations, and the accident site evidence, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain proper airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around)
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Trailing edge flaps › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 173 hours in all; 73 in this make and model; 1.8 in the last 90 days; 1.8 in the last 30 days; 88 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 6, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,971.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 23, 2020; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550 SERIES (piston); 2,971 hours total
The flight
- Runway 30, 3,482 ft by 1,061 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from RAS
Weather report (METAR): KRAS 240615Z AUTO 12003KT 1 1/4SM BR BKN003 BKN009 OVC020 23/23 A2978 RMK AO2 T02290227
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
22 documents, released by the NTSB on June 23, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Operations Specialist Factual Report | PDF, 32 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Operations Attachment 1 - Records of Conversations and Witness Statements | PDF, 22 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Operations Attachment 2 - Accident Pilota��s Logbooks | PDF, 24 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Operations Attachment 3 - Pilota��s Cirrus SR22 Transition Training | PDF, 17 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Operations Attachment 4 - N587CD Registration and Airworthiness Certificates | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Operations Attachment 5 - Weight and Balance Information | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Operations Attachment 6 - Young Eagles Kras Runway 30 Procedure | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 8 | Operations Attachment 7 - Cirrus SR22 Normal and Emergency Checklists | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 9 | Operations Attachment 8 - Young Eagles Information | PDF, 17 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 10 | Operations - NTSB Young Eagles Accident Data (1) | spreadsheet · our copy | Download |
| 11 | Operations - NTSB Young Eagles Accident Data (2) | spreadsheet · our copy | Download |
| 12 | Air Traffic Control - ADS-B Data (Accident Flight) | data file · our copy | Download |
| 13 | Air Traffic Control - ADS-B Data (1) | data file · our copy | Download |
| 14 | Air Traffic Control - ADS-B Data (2) | data file · our copy | Download |
| 15 | Air Traffic Control - Opsvue Tabular Track Data | data file · our copy | Download |
| 16 | Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 10 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 17 | Attachment 2 to Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file · our copy | Download |
| 18 | Attachment 1 to Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file · our copy | Download |
| 19 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 20 | Autopsy Memo | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 21 | Photo Array | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 22 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation Cirrus | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
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.
