Cirrus Design CORP SR22 accident near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, January 24, 2011
On January 24, 2011 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Cirrus Design CORP SR22, registered N690KY, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (to runway) near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh International airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s excessive engine rpm and speed during taxi and subsequent braking, which resulted in a wheel brake fire.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 24, 2011 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Pittsburg, Pennsylvania · Pittsburgh International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus Design CORP SR22
- Registration
- N690KY · no longer on the register · serial 1930
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he was given instructions to taxi from the fixed base operator to the runway. After reaching the runway, he initiated the takeoff checklist. The pilot increased the engine rpm per the checklist and the airplane moved forward slightly. According to the pilot, as pressure was applied to the brakes, the right brake "popped" and the right pedal “lost all pressure.” The airplane started a 180 degree turn to the left and the engine was shutdown. Smoke was coming from under the right wing and the tower was alerted. As the pilot and passenger exited the airplane, they observed flames around the base of the wheel pant and the pilot attempted to extinguish the fire unsuccessfully. Data retrieved from the multi-function display revealed that while taxiing, the engine power reached 1,100 to 1,900 rpm and the ground speed was 30 mph. Review of the airplane’s pilot operating handbook revealed that the maximum recommended continuous engine power for taxiing is 1,000 rpm. If the engine power is exceeded and proper braking procedures are not observed during taxi, wheel brake damage or fire could occur. Portions of the right brake assembly were either heavily fire damaged or destroyed. Examination of the left brake assembly revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction.
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
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during taxi (to runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of policy/procedure › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,700 hours in all; 450 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 36 in the last 30 days; 4,500 as pilot in command; 2,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 11, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,231 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 11, 2010; 229 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550-N (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: PIT Pittsburg PA at 4:00 pm
- Destination: TYS Knoxville TN
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,500 ft; not recorded at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 3°F (-16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.32 inHg
- Observation at 4:00 pm from PIT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.