Pilot Debrief

CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22T near Tulsa, OK — 2024-08-03

Final reportCEN24LA308
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Date
2024-08-03
Location
Tulsa, OK, USA
Airport
TUL
Aircraft
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22T
Registration
N825JC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The mechanic’s improper installation of the alternator wiring connections, which resulted in electrical arcing and thermal damage to the airplane.

NTSB narrative

An airframe and powerplant mechanic removed and replaced the airplane’s engine, which included rewiring the two alternators, and performed an engine run-up without incident. A pilot then performed a short ferry flight, also without incident. After parking the airplane at the destination airport and shutting down the engine, the pilot saw smoke coming from the engine compartment. The pilot exited the airplane, looked into the louvered vents under the engine compartment, and saw electrical arcing and smoke, but did not see any fire. The airplane battery and associated wiring sustained thermal damage. The airplane’s composite firewall sustained substantial damage due to thermal damage. The mechanic who performed the engine replacement took a photograph of the alternator wire connections before removing the original engine, which he used as a reference when rewiring the alternator following the engine replacement. The photograph showed the correct wire connections, but those connections were different than those at the time of the accident. Postincident examination of the airplane revealed that the alternator wire connections were not done in accordance with the airplane manufacturer’s maintenance manual, which resulted in electrical arcing and substantial thermal damage to the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
No test flight conducted after engine installation before ferry flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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