Airplane Impacted A Barricade And Ground Equipment, Which Resulted In Substantial Damage To The Left Wing

Location: Red Oak, IA Accident Number: CEN24LA011
Date & Time: October 15, 2023, 09:51 Local Registration: N6JA
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22 Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 15, 2023, about 0951 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22 airplane, N6JA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Red Oak Municipal Airport (RDK), Red Oak, Iowa. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) information, the airplane departed Eppley Airfield (OMA), Omaha, Nebraska, at 0920 and climbed to 7,000 ft mean sea level (msl) enroute to St Louis Downtown Airport (CPS), St Louis, Illinois. 

The pilot observed icing conditions at 7,000 ft msl and requested a climb from air traffic control (ATC) to 9,000 ft msl. After climbing above the clouds into visual meteorological conditions, the pilot observed that the engine ran rough, with vibrations and engine indication fluctuations.

The pilot diverted to RDK, a nontowered airport, and flew the RNAV (GPS) Runway 5 approach. During the descent and arrival to RDK, ATC informed the pilot on multiple occasions that Runway 5 was closed. The pilot proceeded to land on Runway 5 and the airplane impacted a barricade and ground equipment, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The airplane was retained for examination. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov