Cirrus Design CORP SF50 accident near Mesa, Arizona, November 27, 2024
On November 27, 2024 at about 1:30 am local time, a 2019 Cirrus Design CORP SF50, registered N701MK, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Mesa, Arizona (Falcon Fld 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 improper landing gear selection during the takeoff roll and failure to maintain airplane control during a rejected takeoff, which resulted in abnormal contact with the runway and a collapse of the nose landing gear.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 27, 2024 · about 1:30 am local time · cases in 2024
- Place
- Mesa, Arizona · Falcon Fld · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus Design CORP SF50, built 2019
- Registration
- N701MK · registry record · serial 0170
- 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, while conducting a takeoff, he heard an unrecognizable sound and aborted the takeoff roll. The pilot applied brakes and pulled the throttle simultaneously. The airplane subsequently lifted off the ground and returned to the runway surface on the nose, which resulted in a collapse of the nose landing gear. The airplane’s emergency procedures has a caution that states “the airplane might rotate and lift off the ground if thrust lever is abruptly brought to IDLE prior to brake application.” A postaccident review of the airplane’s flight data from the Recoverable Data Module (RDM) revealed that the landing gear lever was in the UP position during the takeoff roll when one of the weight on wheel (WOW) sensors showed it airborne. A few seconds later, the WOW sensor reactivated and the airplane settled on the nose gear. The nose gear was in the transitory and unlocked position at that time and collapsed. Subsequently, when the airplane came to rest, the landing gear lever was placed in the DOWN position. Pitch angle and radar altimeter data from the RDM also showed that the airplane remained on the runway surface during the takeoff and abort. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Ground collision during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
- Landing gear collapse during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action sequence › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear selector › Incorrect use/operation other cases naming the landing gear
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,531.2 hours in all; 484.1 in this make and model; 49.3 in the last 90 days; 13.2 in the last 30 days; 2,456.6 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 20, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 745 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 6,040 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Williams FJ33-5A (turbojet); 745 hours total
The flight
- Destination: KFAR Fargo ND
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 04R/, 5,100 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from KFFZ, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KFFZ 270054Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 23/05 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP142 T02280050
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Airplane as viewed from the front left side.
Photograph 2 – Airplane nose gear compartment as viewed from the right side.
Photograph 3: Airplane as viewed from the bottom front portion of the fuselage.
Photograph 4: Close up of nose wheel compartment as viewed from the front.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on April 22, 2025. 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.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Recoverable Data Module Flight Data | data file | Download |
| 4 | Abort Procedure Manual Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum for Record | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
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
- N701MK on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Williams FJ33-5A 716 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Falcon Field · nearest airport
- Hector International · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Arizona 2,985 since 1982 · 466 in the last ten years
- Arizona 8,435 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR25LA049.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.