Cirrus SR-22 N1223S

Summary

On 3 October 2002 at about 19:40 local time, a Cirrus SR-22 registered N1223S was involved in an accident near Lewisville, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 October 2002 at 19:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Lewisville, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.9697, -96.8386

Aircraft

Cirrus SR-22

Registration

N1223S

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Addison → Dallas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW03LA005

Nobody was injured.

The improper reinstallation of the left aileron by maintenance personnel. A contributing factor was the non-suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight, the left aileron separated from one attach point, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. Prior to the accident flight, the airplane underwent maintenance for two outstanding service bulletins. During compliance with one of the service bulletins, the left aileron would have been removed and reinstalled. The pilot confirmed with the service center personnel that the maintenance on the airplane was completed and then proceeded to preflight the airplane. After departure, the airplane was level at 2,000 feet mean sea level (msl) for approximately one minute, the pilot noticed that the airplane began "pulling" to the left, and the left aileron was separated at one hinge attach point. The pilot then flew the airplane toward an unpopulated area, shutdown the engine, and deployed the aircraft's ballistic parachute system. Subsequently, the airplane descended to the ground with the aid of the parachute canopy and came to rest upright in a field of mesquite trees. Examination of the left aileron and the airframe aileron hinges revealed that the outboard aileron hinge bolt was missing, and no evidence of safety wire noted. According to maintenance manual procedures, the bolt and washer hardware were to be torqued to a measured 20-25 inch pounds, then safety wired to a actuation fitting. After installation, the manual required a verification of proper hinge bolt installation and torque on the outboard hinge.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.