Pilot Debrief

CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22 near Jefferson, NC — 2015-11-13

Final reportERA16LA040
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Date
2015-11-13
Location
Jefferson, NC, USA
Airport
GEV
Aircraft
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22
Registration
N334CM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during a postaccident test run of the engine.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was conducting a long personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight for almost 1 hour at 11,500 ft and that everything was normal. He then noticed that the autopilot pitch was starting to increase in order to maintain altitude and that the manifold air pressure was decreasing. At this time, the rpm and oil pressure were normal. The airplane then started losing altitude, and the manifold air pressure gauge's needle was shaking. The pilot increased the throttle, but he noted no change in power or rpm. The pilot attempted to divert to the nearest airport, but on final approach, the headwind was stronger than he expected, and he knew that the airplane was not going to reach the runway because the engine had lost all power. He subsequently deployed the airplane's parachute system, and the airplane descended into a field. Examination of the wreckage revealed that adequate fuel was onboard. The engine was subsequently test run to full power with no anomalies noted.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted earlier to avoid engine failure during cruise.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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