Airplane Was On An Instrument Approach To KGYY

The NTSB has released its preliminary report in an accident involving a Cirrus SR22 which went down on approach near Gary, IN, October 3. The flight had originated in St. Augustine, FL, and both people on board the airplane were fatally injured when it impacted terrain. But beyond the initial facts, the report offers few clues as to what may have gone wrong on the approach.

NTSB Identification: CEN13FA002
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, October 03, 2012 in Gary, IN
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22, registration: N308PJ
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On October 3, 2012, at 1120 CDT, a Cirrus SR22, N308PJ, operated by a commercial pilot collided with terrain while flying an instrument approach at the Gary/Chicago International Airport (KGYY), Gary, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage from impact and postimpact fire. The flight was being operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Smyrna Airport (KMQY), Smyrna, Tennessee, at 0925.

The pilot requested and was cleared for the RNAV(GPS)Y RWY 30 instrument approach into KGYY. The pilot was issued vectors for the approach and was subsequently cleared for the approach by the Chicago TRACON. The pilot was subsequently issued a frequency change and instructed to contact the KGYY air traffic control tower. The pilot did not check in on the tower frequency. The airplane impacted trees and the terrain approximately 1 mile southeast of KGYY.

Weather conditions recorded at KGYY at 1140 were: wind variable at 6 knots, visibility 5 miles, ceiling 900 feet overcast, temperature 17 degrees Celsius, dew point 13 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury.

(SR22 pictured in file photo, Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov