Cirrus Design CORP SR22 accident near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, May 11, 2010
On May 11, 2010, a Cirrus Design CORP SR22, registered N424LF, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Tuscaloosa Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and collision with the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2010 · cases in 2010
- Place
- Tuscaloosa, Alabama · Tuscaloosa Regional Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus Design CORP SR22
- Registration
- N424LF · registry record · serial 1583
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot contacted the air traffic control tower and reported that he was 12 miles from the airport and had the intention of performing a full-stop landing. The pilot contacted the tower a short time later and stated that he had the airport in sight, but was too close, and needed to make a 360-degree turn to lose altitude. After completing the turn, the controller observed the airplane left of the final approach path. It then made a turn, aligning it right of course. The airplane was about 50 feet from the end of the runway when the left wing dipped and the airplane flipped over, colliding with the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. According to the manufacturer, the airplane will stall at an indicated airspeed of about 72 knots in a 45-degree angle of bank. The airplane's last recorded bank angle on the primary flight display was about 48 degrees left-wing down and the airspeed was about 63 knots.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Knowledge › Knowledge of geographic area › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › (general) › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 815 hours in all; 504 in this make and model; 53 in the last 90 days; 41 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 12, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 359 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 12, 2009; 59 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550 N (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TMB Miami FL at 9:04 pm
- Destination: TCL Tuscaloosa AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 6,499 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 060° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
40 documents, released by the NTSB on December 13, 2010. 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.
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N424LF on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550 N 2,789 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Tuscaloosa Ntl Airport · nearest airport
- Miami Executive · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Alabama 1,211 since 1982 · 173 in the last ten years
- Alabama 4,353 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA10FA259.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.