Cirrus Design CORP SR22 accident near Canton, Texas, December 27, 2023
On December 27, 2023, a 2008 Cirrus Design CORP SR22, registered N858RC, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Canton, Texas (Thompson Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to attain the runway while landing at night, which resulted in an impact with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 27, 2023
- Place
- Canton, Texas · Thompson Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus Design CORP SR22, built 2008
- Registration
- N858RC · registry record · serial 2939
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting a night visual approach to a private airport that had solar deck lights as runway lights. A witness heard the pilot make radio transmissions for the downwind, base, and final approach legs of the traffic pattern before the airplane impacted trees and terrain east of the runway. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces. Non-volatile data from the airplane showed the approach was approximately parallel to and about 340 ft east of the runway before the tree line, which the airplane struck. The data showed the airplane had minimal altimetry error. The data also showed that the engine operated with no anomalies throughout the approach and impact with terrain. Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed flight control continuity, as well as rotational and torsional features on the propeller blades and spinner consistent with engine operation. An autopsy was not performed on the pilot, so an incapacitating medical event could not be ruled out. It is likely that pilot performed an inadequate visual approach at night that resulted in a collision with terrain. Based on the available evidence, it was undetermined why the pilot performed an inadequate visual approach.
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 during takeoff/land during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,273.5 hours in all; 51.1 in the last 90 days; 12.7 in the last 30 days; 1,230.7 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 26, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,649.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 24, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-550-N (piston); 427 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ADS Addison TX at 11:49 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 13, 2,500 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KTRL, 23 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTRL 270053Z AUTO 17005KT 10SM CLR 08/M01 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP142 T00831006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 8 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident Site (NTSB ICC)
Photograph 2 – Tree Line (NTSB IIC)
Photograph 3 – Wreckage Path (NTSB IIC)
Photograph 4 – Wreckage Path (NTSB IIC)
Photograph 5 – Wreckage Path (NTSB IIC)
Photograph 6 – Wreckage Path (NTSB IIC)
Photograph 7 – Driveway Deck Lights (NTSB IIC)
Photograph 8 – Runway Deck Lights (NTSB IIC)The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
13 documents, released by the NTSB on September 3, 2025. 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 | Memorandum for Record A�� Aircraft Examination | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Airport Surveillance Camera Video | AVI file · our copy | Download |
| 4 | Pilot Logbook | PDF, 37 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Multiple Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 18 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Attachment 1 to Multiple Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report_avidyne PFD Data | data file · our copy | Download |
| 7 | Attachment 2 to Multiple Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report_avidyne MFD Data | data file · our copy | Download |
| 8 | Memorandum for Record A�� Autopsy Request | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 9 | Toxicological Report - FAA | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 10 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 18 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 11 | Photos | PDF, 9 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 12 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 13 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages · 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.