Cirrus Design Corp SR20 accident near Crystal Lake, IL

On November 26, 2011, a Cirrus Design Corp SR20 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Crystal Lake, IL. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

November 26, 2011

Place

Crystal Lake, IL

Aircraft

Cirrus Design Corp SR20 · Airplane

Injuries

4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

42.268°N, 88.382°W

NTSB ID

20111126X22009

Official records · CEN12FA083

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• Transcript of Radio Communications -- DuPage Air Traffic ControlTower: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Transcript of Radio Communications -- Chicago Approach Control: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 26, 2011, at 1026 central standard time, a Cirrus Design SR20, N223CD, was substantially damaged when it collided with a tree and terrain near Crystal Lake, Illinois. The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to Marion Pilots Club and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, without a flight plan. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity of the accident site. The personal flight originated from Marion Regional Airport (MZZ), Marion, Indiana about 0830. The intended destination was DuPage Airport (DPA), West Chicago, Illinois. The line service representative at MZZ reported that the airplane was fully fueled prior to departure. The pilot informed him that they were going to Chicago. When asked, the pilot commented that he was aware of the weather west of Chicago and that conditions were forecast to be visual flight rules (VFR) at their estimated time of arrival. Radar track data depicted the airplane on a 1200 (VFR) transponder code approaching DPA from the southeast. At 0942, the airplane was located approximately 3 miles east of the Chicago Heights VHF Omni Range (VOR) navigation facility at 2,400 feet mean sea level (msl). The airplane maintained a northwest course at 2,400 feet msl until about 0957. About that time, the airplane turned right and became established on a north course. The aircraft was located about 5 miles south of DPA, approximately 1,600 feet msl, at that time. At 0958:05 (hhmm:ss), the pilot contacted DPA Air Tr

Probable cause

The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control of the airplane.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.