Cirrus Design CORP SR22 accident near Anderson, South Carolina, April 27, 2012
On April 27, 2012 at about 4:56 pm local time, a Cirrus Design CORP SR22, registered N154CK, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Anderson, South Carolina (Anderson Regional 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 maintain control of the airplane during the aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 27, 2012 · about 4:56 pm local time
- Place
- Anderson, South Carolina · Anderson Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus Design CORP SR22
- Registration
- N154CK · no longer on the register · serial 3467
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot receiving instruction performed several takeoffs and landings with a flight instructor aboard. The flight instructor then disembarked and told the pilot to perform three additional solo takeoffs and landings (to a full stop), which the instructor observed from the ground. According to the flight instructor, the pilot's first flight around the airport traffic pattern appeared normal and terminated in a full stop landing and taxi back to the runway for the next takeoff. The instructor stated that the airplane appeared to touch down normally during the second landing; however, shortly thereafter the engine power increased and the airplane began to ascend. The airplane then climbed at a steep angle, entered an aerodynamic stall, and impacted terrain to the left of the runway. Review of data recorded by an onboard recoverable data module showed that as the airplane approached the runway during the landing, the stall warning activated and 1 second later the pilot increased engine power. As the engine power increased, the airplane began an unarrested turn to the left and the pilot retracted the airplane's flaps from the fully extended to the fully retracted position, which was contrary to the airframe manufacturer's published procedure for a balked landing. The data showed that after it reached an altitude of about 75 feet above ground level, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall, and then rolled left while pitching down. The data recording ended before the airplane impacted terrain. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The installed whole airframe parachute system likely deployed during the postimpact fire; however, given the low altitude at which the aerodynamic stall occurred, it is unlikely that preimpact deployment of the system would have positively affected the outcome of the accident. Review of the pilot's flight logs showed that he had accumulated more than 330 total hours of flight experience, including more than 220 hours in the accident airplane; however, he had not previously flown the accident airplane solo before the accident flight. Review of autopsy and toxicology test results showed no evidence of any preexisting condition that would have been expected to result in the pilot's incapacitation.
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 takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 339 hours in all; 226 in this make and model; 73 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 203 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 17, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 264 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 15, 2011; 138 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-550-N (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Bill Air LLC
The flight
- Departed from: KAND Anderson SC at 4:55 pm
- Destination: KAND Anderson SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 6,002 ft by 149 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 265° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from AND
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.
