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).
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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 October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 27, 2024 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Mesa, Arizona · Falcon Fld · 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
- 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR25LA049.