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On December 30, 2007, about 1140 Pacific standard time, a Cirrus SR22, N254SR, departed controlled flight and collided into
the slope of a hill near Paso Robles, California. Cirrus Design Corporation was operating the airplane under the provisions
of 14 CFR Part 91. The certificated flight instructor, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was substantially
damaged. The personal flight departed San Carlos Airport, San Carlos, California, about 1030, with a planned destination of
Paso Robles Municipal Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) interviewed a close friend of the pilot during the
investigation, including immediately following the accident. He stated that the pilot was planning to visit him for the weekend,
flying from his base airport to Paso Robles, as he had done many times prior. The pilot called him on a cellular telephone
while in the airplane approaching the proximity of the friend's residence informing him that he was about to pass by. The
pilot had done this on many occasions to let the friend know that he was about to land, as a way of notifying him that he
should leave to pick him up from the airport, which was an approximate 15-minute drive.
The pilot's friend further stated that he proceeded outside to watch the airplane while speaking with the pilot on the
telephone. He observed the airplane drop rapidly about 1,000 feet as it was flying toward his house. As the airplane was approaching
his house in a nose-high configuration with full power, he heard the telephone drop and the pilot make a few inaudible comments.
He noted that with the orientation of the airplane to the terrain he was nervous of an impending crash. The airplane than
made a rapid ascent in a near vertical nose-high maneuver climbing to about 1,000 feet above ground level (agl). It subsequently
made a 90-degree right turn and then continued to turn into a barrel roll, disappearing behind the tree line ahead. He noted
that he heard the engine producing full power during the maneuver.
Numerous witnesses were interviewed by the IIC following the accident. One witness, who lived adjacent to the pilot's
friend, stated that she was trimming olive trees that surround her property when she noticed an airplane fly over her house.
The airplane continued slightly left [east] and was maneuvering at a "very, very, very low" altitude. Another witness
recalled observing the airplane flying from the east and over his house at an altitude of about 200 feet. He noted that the
airplane was flying very fast and descended to about the tree-top level. The airplane then began a rapid ascent, almost vertical.
After gaining altitude it rolled to the right and then began a loop below the tree line, where he lost visual contact.
An additional witness, whose property is oriented on a small hill about 100 feet above the valley floor stated that from
his vantage point he observed the airplane looking downward as it passed by, which he approximated was maneuvering at 75 feet
agl. The airplane was flying rapidly through the valley and began a rapid accent as it reached the end of the west property
lines of the neighbors. The witness further recalled that he has seen a low flying airplane in the neighborhood previous to
the accident. He specifically recalled that about 2 months prior, an airplane flew about 50 feet above his house. Many of
his neighbors and him have discussed an airplane that maneuvers very low in the area.
Records established that the airplane was fueled with the addition of 44.2 gallons of aviation fuel on the day of the
accident.
The closest official weather observation station was in Paso Robles Airport, located about 10.5 nautical miles (nm) northwest
of the accident site at an elevation of 836 feet mean sea level (msl). An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for the
airport was issued at 1153. It stated: winds from 310 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 statue miles; scattered clouds at
1,700 feet; temperature 13 degrees Celsius; dew point 7 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.26 inches of mercury.
The wreckage was located on the hills of an estate, stretching over 1,200 feet from the first impact marking to the farthest
debris found (right main landing wheel); the main wreckage was located close to the middle. In character, the rolling hills
were comprised of dirt and dry grass and populated by scattered oak trees typical of the central California region. The main
wreckage was located at an estimated 35 degrees 32.525 minutes north latitude and 120 degrees 31.369 minutes west longitude,
at an elevation of about 1,115 feet mean sea level (msl).
The main wreckage came to rest on a northeast facing slope and had been subjected to severe thermal damage. The main wreckage
consisted of the left wing and tail section as well as the ashen remains of the fuselage. The cabin was completely consumed
by fire. The left wing was inverted though remained on the correct side of the fuselage with the leading edge facing downslope
and nearly perpendicular to the debris path. The empennage was aft of the wing spar and attached by sections of partially
consumed fiberglass and steel cables; the rudder was askew from the empennage, positioned on the right side of the wreckage.
All control surfaces were accounted for at the accident site with the exception of the left aileron. The left aileron's aluminum
control surface had sections attached at the respective hinges hinges, but the middle section was absent consistent with it
being consumed by fire. The firewall was imbedded under the main wreckage and the engine mounts were broken.
The first identified point of contact consisted of disrupted dirt on a small berm making up the far northern end of the
debris field. The markings started as two parallel indentations in the vegetation and dirt. The right crater began about 1
foot before the left; they were about 8 feet apart, consistent in size and orientation to that of the main landing gear. The
craters were continuous for about 8 feet and gradually matured into a sole crater measuring about 20 feet wide.
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