Cirrus Design CORP SR22 accident near Moncks Corner, South Carolina, January 29, 2009
On January 29, 2009 at about 7:50 pm local time, a Cirrus Design CORP SR22, registered N224SB, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Moncks Corner, South Carolina (Berkley County 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
A loss of aircraft control during the landing approach for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 29, 2009 · about 7:50 pm local time
- Place
- Moncks Corner, South Carolina · Berkley County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus Design CORP SR22
- Registration
- N224SB · registry record · serial 1155
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 6 minutes after departing in visual meteorological conditions, the pilot reported fumes in the cockpit to air traffic control, and advised them that he planned to divert. The pilot subsequently began descending toward a nearby airport, and entered the traffic pattern. As the airplane neared the runway threshold, on what appeared to be a "normal" approach, it suddenly pitched nose down and impacted the ground about 900 feet short of the runway threshold. A witness who approached the airplane immediately following the accident reported no fire, smoke, or abnormal fumes. Post accident review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that about 3 weeks prior to the accident, the pilot had reported an odor of "burnt electronics" in the cabin, and subsequently had the airplane inspected by a maintenance facility. No anomalies were found during the inspection and all of the airplane's systems continued to function normally thereafter. A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, failures, or fire in the accident airplane. A detailed inspection of the airplane's electrical system and avionic components revealed a single damaged capacitor located in the primary flight display that displayed evidence of thermal distress. Functional testing of the circuit card containing the damaged capacitor suggested normal operation. The pilot’s cause of death was noted as "blunt trauma" and toxicological testing on specimens from the pilot showed no traces of carbon monoxide or cyanide.
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
- Abrupt maneuver during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,164 hours in all
- Last flight review: December 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550 SERIES; 0 hours total
- Operator: Centennial Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: CHS Charleston SC at 7:40 pm
- Destination: 14A Mooresville NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 4,351 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from MKS, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.