Pilot Debrief

CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22 near Alexandria, LA — 2016-03-23

Final reportCEN16LA143
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Date
2016-03-23
Location
Alexandria, LA, USA
Aircraft
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22
Registration
N927DS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and flight instructor departed on a cross-country flight. The flight was uneventful until the descent to the destination airport. The pilot indicated that, during the descent, he reduced the engine throttle and noticed some "shaking from the engine." After troubleshooting, he realized the engine would not have sufficient power for the airplane to land at the airport. Due to the unsuitable terrain for an off-airport landing, the pilot chose to activate the ballistic parachute system. The airplane descended to the ground under the parachute canopy and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during the impact with terrain. Postaccident examination revealed no airframe or engine malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A functional test of the engine revealed the engine accelerated normally without any hesitation, stumbling, or interruption in power and demonstrated the ability to produce rated horsepower. Thus, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured adequate fuel before descent to prevent engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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