Fatal Cirrus Accident Shows That Some Knowledge Doesn’t Translate

Helicopter pilot’s fixed-wing inexperience proved costly in a desert mountainside crash that killed four.

Peter Garrison

Monday, April 15, 2024 at 09:22 AM ET

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An aerial view of a sunny day on Bryce Canyon in the Utah desert. [iStock]

Key Takeaways:

A Cirrus SR20 crashed in mountainous terrain, killing four occupants, due to the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and control, exacerbated by an overloaded aircraft and high density altitude.
The pilot, highly experienced in helicopters but with limited fixed-wing time, flew at dangerously low airspeed and engine RPM, ignoring continuous stall warnings for several minutes, suggesting ingrained helicopter flying habits influenced the mismanagement of the airplane.
The incident highlights the critical dangers of applying habits and assumptions from one type of aircraft (e.g., helicopters) to another (e.g., fixed-wing airplanes) without fully understanding their distinct operational requirements and warnings.

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On a warm day in late spring, four professional helicopter pilots rented a Cirrus SR20 in North Las Vegas, Nevada, for a fishing trip to Bryce Canyon, Utah. Of the four, only one had an airplane rating.

After taking off from North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT) and flying 60 miles, they landed at Mesquite, Nevada (67L), where they added 10 gallons of fuel. The pilot with the airplane rating, who had flown the first leg, now ceded the left front seat to one of his companions, evidently with the idea of giving him some flight instruction. He moved to the right seat, and they performed several touch-and-gos before continuing toward Bryce Canyon, 105 miles distant.