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Atlas / NTSB / IAD05CA025

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event IAD05CA025

2004-12-18 Wheeling, West Virginia, United States Minor 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N60CF

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

CIRRUS DESIGN SR22

Year of manufacture

2024

TCDS

A00009CH · CIRRUS DESIGN CORP

Engine

CONT MOTOR IO-550-N (310 hp)

Seats / Engines

4 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

20240820

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A7C51E

Registrant of record

ARQ AVIATION LLC

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot misjudged his distance/speed, and his intentional landing on an unsuitable taxiway at night. A factor in the accident was the night light conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot attempted a night landing on a taxiway in front of the control tower, which was closed at the time. The airplane overran the end of the taxiway, rolled down an embankment and struck trees. The pilot, whose identity was not confirmed, was believed to have incurred minor injuries. He subsequently paid a passerby to take him to a local hotel, and after a night's rest, he left the area. Ownership of the airplane could not be determined due to a recent sale. Approximately 250 kilograms of cocaine were found onboard the airplane. Further investigation was being conducted by federal authorities and local law enforcement. The pilot attempted a night landing on a taxiway in front of the control tower, which was closed at the time. The airplane overran the end of the taxiway, rolled down an embankment and struck trees. The pilot, whose identity was not confirmed, was believed to have incurred minor injuries. He subsequently paid a passerby to take him to a local hotel, and after a night's rest, he left the area. Ownership of the airplane could not be determined due to a recent sale. Approximately 250 kilos of cocaine were found onboard the airplane. Further investigation was being conducted by federal authorities and local law enforcement. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2004_IAD05CA025.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.