Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed recovery from the bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the airplane bounced "really high" during the flare. He had never experienced a bounced landing before in a Cirrus. The pilot added power to stop the bounce and the airplane bounced again. He tried again without adding power, but the airplane bounced a third time. At that point he performed a go-around. The pilot realized he was "low and slow" and the airplane was not exhibiting any lift with the throttle at full power. The pilot realized he was going to crash and looked for an area without people. The pilot thought he stalled the airplane and it impacted at full power. An on-scene examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08LA216 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 26, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Watertown, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- Watertown Muni (RYV)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cirrus Design Corp. SR22
- N-number
- N620SR
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.