Pilot Debrief

CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22 near Midland, TX — 2023-05-09

Final reportCEN23LA185
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Date
2023-05-09
Location
Midland, TX, USA
Airport
KMAF
Aircraft
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22
Registration
N433CF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that when he was about 6 miles from the destination airport, the engine began running very rough. The pilot turned 180° toward an alternate airport that he had just flown over and declared an emergency. He attempted to troubleshoot the engine roughness, but was unsuccessful, and the engine lost total power. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot conducted a forced landing to a rough field. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the right fuel tank contained no usable fuel, and the left fuel tank contained about 25 gallons of fuel. The fuel selector was found in the right fuel tank position. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. After the accident, the pilot stated that he had no memory of changing tanks during the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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