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Accidents · NTSB ERA17LA063 · Final report

Cirrus Design CORP SR22 accident near Bluefield, West Virginia, November 22, 2016

On November 22, 2016 at about 4:42 pm local time, a 2011 Cirrus Design CORP SR22, registered N217CE, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Bluefield, West Virginia (Mercer County 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 failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
November 22, 2016 · about 4:42 pm local time
Place
Bluefield, West Virginia · Mercer County · 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 NO SERIES, built 2011
Registration
N217CE · registry record · serial 3812
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The commercial pilot stated that, during the takeoff roll, the engine was not producing full power and the airspeed was fluctuating, so he chose to abort the takeoff. He reduced power and applied full braking, but the left wing became airborne, and the right wing struck the runway. The airplane veered right, and the propeller struck a grassy area. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and the engine mounts. Postaccident engine examination found that the engine's magneto timing was set incorrectly; no other evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. During a subsequent test-run of the engine with the magneto timing set to its preaccident state, the engine started immediately and ran continuously at all power settings without interruption. Performance data downloaded from the on-board recording devices revealed that the pilot did not add full power until the airplane was about 15% down the runway. The engine performance data also revealed that associated engine parameters moved in response to rpm increases and decreases. Although the pilot reported that the engine was not producing full rpm and that the airspeed was fluctuating during the attempted takeoff, the recorded performance data revealed that the engine was achieving close to full power, and there was no evidence of a power loss. Further, the airspeed was sufficient for takeoff with no fluctuations noted before the pilot chose to gradually reduce power. Therefore, given the evidence, it is likely that the engine and airplane were functioning adequately before the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. After the pilot decided to abort the takeoff, he failed to maintain directional control of the airplane.

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

  1. Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
  2. Loss of control on ground during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
  3. Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)

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 › Directional control › Not attained/maintained

Pilot

  • Certificate: commercial pilot, private
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 883 hours in all; 460 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 785 as pilot in command
  • Last flight review: September 1, 2016
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 1,420 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, November 15, 2016; 4 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
  • Seats: 4
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine: Cont Motor IO-550-N (piston); 1,420 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: BLF Bluefield WV at 4:42 pm
  • Destination: HXD Hilton Head Island SC
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 05, 4,743 ft by 100 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
  • Observation at 4:52 pm from BLF

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

11 documents, released by the NTSB on December 13, 2018. 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.

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.