Fatal Accident (2) – Cirrus SR22 GTS G2 turbo, N969SS, Barwick–LaFayette Airport (9A5)
LaFayette, GA, March 20, 2025
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On Thursday, March 20, 2025, a Cirrus SR22 GTS G2 Turbo aircraft, registered as N969SS and operated by Powell Aviation LLC, was involved in a fatal accident at Barwick–LaFayette Airport (9A5) in LaFayette, Georgia. The crash occurred at approximately 14:30 local time during the aircraft’s final approach phase to Runway 20. The aircraft, a 2006 model with serial number 2157, was conducting pattern work at the time and was returning to the same airport from which it had departed. Both occupants aboard the aircraft sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was completely destroyed in the subsequent fire. Witness reports and ADS-B data indicated the aircraft was maneuvering in the traffic pattern before it entered a base-to-final turn. A witness on-site observed the aircraft descending at what was described as an abnormal trajectory, with the nose elevated and the tail positioned lower, suggesting a possible high angle of attack or loss of control during the turn to final approach. As the aircraft touched down at the north end of the runway, it immediately burst into flames, and multiple explosions were reported shortly after the impact. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but the post-impact fire engulfed the wreckage, limiting rescue efforts. The Cirrus SR22 involved in the accident was equipped with advanced avionics, including the Avidyne R9 integrated flight system, dual WAAS GPS units, and a DFC-100 autopilot with approach coupling. Additionally, it featured the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), although there is no indication from current reports that it was deployed during the flight. The aircraft had accumulated 2,767 total airframe hours, and its engine—a Teledyne Continental IO-550-N—had 809 hours since a RAM major overhaul. Recent inspection records indicated its annual inspection was completed in July 2021, with CAPS repack due in May 2027 and line cutters due in March 2023. The local METARs around the time of the accident indicated good visibility and scattered clouds, with light to moderate winds shifting from 260° to 330° at speeds ranging from 5 to 10 knots. No hazardous weather conditions were reported that would have directly contributed to the crash. The cause of the crash remains undetermined, pending further analysis by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which took lead on the investigation. Their process will include documentation of the wreckage site, evaluation of airframe integrity, control surface continuity, engine performance, and possible pilot factors. The accident site was secured by LaFayette Public Safety officials, and operations at Barwick–LaFayette Airport were suspended temporarily. The debris field was described as extensive, with runway damage resulting from the post-crash explosions and fire. The NTSB has since transported the remains of the aircraft to a secure facility for detailed forensic examination. No other aircraft or persons on the ground were involved in the incident, and there were no additional injuries reported. This investigation will focus on a number of potential causal factors including airspeed management during final approach, aircraft configuration, pilot proficiency, system performance, and the possibility of mechanical or aerodynamic stall. As standard procedure, toxicology reports, pilot logbooks, and maintenance records will be evaluated alongside flight data to determine the probable cause. The absence of immediate mechanical failure reports and the presence of a steep, abnormal descent profile may direct investigative attention toward human factors or potential loss of control in the traffic pattern. | ||||
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Approx. Accident Location | Aircraft Fatalities 2 | Ground Fatalities 0 | Injured 0 |  |
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