8 April 2025
A pilot was killed when his recently acquired Cirrus SR22T aircraft crashed during a circuit training flight at Duxford Airfield, an accident investigation has revealed.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report, released on 3 April , concludes that the aircraft stalled and crashed after a failed attempt to go around from a bounced landing.
The pilot, a 58-year-old private licence holder with 115 hours of total flying experience — only 16 of which were on the SR22T — had departed Duxford shortly after 1310 UTC for a series of circuits. Weather conditions were calm with good visibility and light winds.
Data from onboard systems and witness video indicate that the aircraft completed two uneventful circuits before the fatal third approach. During the attempted touch-and-go, the aircraft bounced on touchdown. The pilot applied full power to initiate a go-around but failed to control the resulting aerodynamic effects. The aircraft rolled sharply left, stalled, and impacted the ground in a steep bank, fatally injuring the pilot.
Analysis of flight data showed the aircraft reached a high pitch attitude shortly after the bounce, followed by rapid power application — within 2 seconds — without sufficient right rudder input to counteract the powerful left-turning tendencies of the SR22T’s 315hp engine. The result was a sustained stall and uncontrolled yaw and roll to the left.
The aircraft struck the ground approximately 90° off the runway heading and was destroyed in the impact. Although the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) deployed during the crash sequence, it was not activated by the pilot but triggered automatically by the structural breakup of the cockpit.
The report highlighted the pilot’s limited recency—his last flight before the accident had been 54 days prior — and noted that he was likely still consolidating his skills on the high-performance aircraft. Instructors had previously noted inconsistent performance, especially after breaks from flying, although no concerns were raised about his ability to perform go-arounds.
The SR22T is equipped with systems to aid recovery from unstable flight, including Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP), but these systems rely on the autopilot being engaged. In this flight, the autopilot was not in use.
This accident bears similarities to at least seven other incidents worldwide involving loss of control in Cirrus SR22 variants during go-arounds, especially following bounced landings. In many cases, including this one, pilots failed to manage the aircraft’s powerful left-turning tendencies at low speed and high pitch attitude—a combination that can lead to departure from controlled flight within seconds.
The AAIB’s report also renewed concern about the risks associated with aircraft fitted with ballistic parachute recovery systems, such as the CAPS. The deployment rocket presents a hazard to first responders unfamiliar with such systems. The report noted that current placards on Cirrus aircraft are small and inconspicuous, especially in poor visibility or if the aircraft is inverted, as has occurred in past accidents.
As a result, the AAIB has issued two safety recommendations. One urges the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to require conspicuous and unambiguous warning placards on all Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft, both in-service and future models. The second calls on the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to mandate similar measures for all CS-23 certified aircraft under its authority.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has responded by publishing Safety Notice SN-2025/003, encouraging operators of Part 21 aircraft with ballistic parachute systems to adopt more visible warning markings in line with existing microlight aircraft standards.
The AAIB concluded that although the pilot’s inexperience and lack of recent flying contributed to the accident, similar events involving more experienced aviators suggest a broader issue with the inherent risks of high-power go-arounds and the need for precise control inputs during this critical phase of flight. The investigation underscores the importance of following manufacturer-recommended go-around procedures to prevent further loss of life.
