Airplane Banked Steeply Left, Leveled, Then Banked Right, Followed By Deployment Of The... Parachute

Location: Jamestown, NY Accident Number: ERA23FA258
Date & Time: June 6, 2023, 13:52 Local Registration: C-GNMT
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22 Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On June 6, 2023, about 1352 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus SR22T, Canadian registration CGNMT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Jamestown, New York. The two Canadian-certificated pilots were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

According to witnesses, the pilot in the left seat owned the accident airplane and brokered other airplanes. Additionally, the pilot in the left seat was preparing for an instrument rating practical examination, scheduled for the following week. The purpose of the accident trip was a combination of training and to work on exporting another airplane for sale in the U.S. That airplane was at Chautauqua County/Jamestown Airport (JHW), Jamestown, New York. Earlier during the day of the accident, the accident airplane was flown uneventfully to JHW. The accident flight was a return home to Waterloo International Airport (CYKF), Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. According to ADS-B data and witnesses, the accident airplane departed at 1341 and performed one touch-and-go landing on runway 31 uneventfully. During initial climb after the second touch-and-go landing on runway 31, about 100 to 200 feet above ground level, the airplane banked steeply left, leveled, then banked right, followed by deployment of the Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System (CAPS). The airplane subsequently impacted a wooded area on the airport and a postcrash fire ensued.

The wreckage came to rest upright, oriented north, and was mostly consumed by fire. No debris path was observed, and the deployed CAPS was observed next to the wreckage. The empennage remained attached and was partially consumed. The remote data module sustained thermal damage but was recovered from the empennage and forwarded to the National Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorders laboratory, Washington, DC, for data download. The forward cockpit section and instrument panel were destroyed. Both wing ailerons and flaps had separated and were partially consumed. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all control surfaces. Measurement of the flap actuator corresponded to 50% flap extension. Measurement of the elevator trim motor corresponded to a neutral trim position.

The propeller hub remained attached to the engine. Two composite blades separated, and one remained attached. The engine was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov