An NTSB preliminary report released yesterday notes that the May 12 midair collision between a Cirrus SR22 and Swearingen Metroliner occurred while both aircraft were approaching to land on parallel runways at Denver Centennial Airport. The SR22 piston single was turning from base to final for Runway 17R at the time of the accident, while the Metroliner twin turboprop was lined up on final for Runway 17L, the NTSB said.
An illustration in the report indicates that the SR22 might have overshot the extended centerline of Runway 17R as it was turning from right base to final when the collision happened. Day VMC prevailed at the time of the accident. The report said that both pilots were in communication with ATC during their respective approaches.
There were no injuries to the two aboard the SR22 or the sole-occupant pilot in the Metroliner. After the impact, the Metroliner pilot declared an emergency and landed on Runway 17L, while the SR22 pilot reported that the airplane was not controllable and deployed the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The SR22 crash-landed about 3 nm north of the airport. Both airplanes were substantially damaged.