Marshall Muni-Ryan Field Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Arco, Minnesota 56113
Sunday, December 11, 2005 17:16 CST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain following an in-flight loss of control. The night cross-country flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) by a non-instrument rated private pilot. Air traffic control radar track data and associated surface weather observations indicated that the flight encountered deteriorating cloud ceilings along the route. The pilot obtained a pre-flight weather briefing, during which the briefer informed him of forecast and reported instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions along the proposed route of flight. Track data indicated that the flight proceeded approximately 65 nautical miles (nm) north of the course proposed in the pre-flight briefing. During the flight, the pilot contacted Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center and requested flight following. The controller informed the pilot that radar contact could not be maintained in the area and at the altitude the airplane was operating. The controller suggested that the pilot climb to a higher altitude in order to permit radar service. The pilot replied, "I've got clouds above me" and stated that he would continue under VFR. The radar altitude returns decreased from 3,400 feet mean sea level (msl) to 2,100 feet msl during the final 65 nautical miles (nm) of the flight. The reported cloud ceiling 65 nm south of the accident site and along the flight path was 3,600 above ground level (agl) (5,000 feet msl). The reported ceiling 25 nm south of the site and along the flight path was 1,400 feet agl (3,100 msl). The reported ceiling 15 nm east of the site was 800 feet agl (2,000 feet msl). Radar track data indicated that the airplane entered a right turn from a northbound course at 2,100 feet msl. Final radar contact was approximately 60 seconds later and depicted the airplane on a westbound course at 2,800 feet msl. Elevation at the accident site was about 1,581 feet. The wreckage was contained within the immediate vicinity of the impact point and was oriented on a southerly heading. First responders noted that the snow cover was undisturbed except in the immediate vicinity of the airplane. A post accident inspection did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a pre-impact failure. The airplane's ground speed and calibrated airspeed were calculated from radar track and winds aloft data. During the climbing turn, within the final 60 seconds of available radar data, the airplane's calibrated airspeed decreased to 41 knots. The published stall speed for the airplane in level flight, with a flaps-up configuration, was 69 knots. The stall speed increased to 74 knots and 82 knots at bank angles of 30 degrees and 45 degrees, respectively.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's inadvertent cruise flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft after experiencing spatial disorientation. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's improper planning/decision making, low ceilings, a dark night, and spatial disorientation.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 12/11/2005
Event Day of the Week Sunday
Time of Event 1716
Event Time Zone Central Standard Time
Event City Arco
Event State MINNESOTA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 56113
Event Date Year 2005
Event Date Month 12
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 442424N
Event Location Longitude 0960453W
Event Location Airport Marshall Muni-Ryan Field
Event Location Nearest Airport ID MML
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 15
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 1180
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1715 Central Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 70
Weather Observation Facility ID MML
Elevation of weather observation facility 1180
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 15
Time Zone of the weather observation CST
Lighting Conditions Night
Lowest Ceiling Height 800
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 400
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Few
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling Overcast
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) -4
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -6
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 100
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 7
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.74
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Fatal
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal 3
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 3
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 21105
NTSB Notification Source FAA
NTSB Notification Date Dec 12 2005 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Mar 26 2007 9:33AM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\lema
Basic weather conditions Instrument Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office FAA-Minneapolis FADO

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N621PH
NTSB Number CHI06FA043
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Destroyed
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Cirrus Design Corp.
Aircraft Model SR22
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 1481
Certified Max Gross Weight 3400
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Jun 1 2005 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 313.5
Airframe Hours 317
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Yes
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Mark A. Johnson
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City Chaska
Aircraft Owner State MN
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 55318
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code LCG
Departure City Wayne
Departure State NE
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1608
Departure Time Zone CST
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code FCM
Destination City Minneapolis
Destination State MN
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight Cruise
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 18 2007 12:38AM
User who most recently changed record DINC
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location NA
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --