Pilot Debrief

CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22 near Marana, AZ — 2021-03-28

Final reportWPR21LA145
Sign in to save
Date
2021-03-28
Location
Marana, AZ, USA
Aircraft
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22
Registration
N644SR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power resulting from a catastrophic engine failure caused by a shift of the No. 2 main bearing and bearing seal, which resulted in oil starvation to the crankshaft; the reason for the bearing and bearing seal shift could not be determined due to the extent of the engine damage. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airframe parachute system to deploy due to undetermined inconsistencies within ignition material in the rocket igniter assembly/squib.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after a normal takeoff and upon reaching 10,000 ft, the engine shuddered, stopped producing power, and began violently shaking the airplane. The pilot turned toward the closest airport and shut down the engine controls; however, the propeller continued to windmill, which resulted in the engine continuing to shudder. Air traffic control issued a heading to the closest airport, but the pilot realized he was not going to be able to reach the airport, so the controller issued a heading to a nearby glider port. The pilot reported that he was able to reach the glider port but instead elected to activate the airplane’s parachute system upon reaching an altitude of 2,000 ft above the ground. The pilot pulled the activation handle several times, but the parachute did not deploy so he turned his attention to landing the airplane. The pilot made a forced landing on a dirt road and the left wing contacted brush alongside the road, spinning the airplane 180° before it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the underside of the wings and fuselage A postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 2 main bearing had rotated and the corresponding main bearing seal was not positioned properly in the saddle bearing support, which resulted in oil starvation and subsequent catastrophic failure of the engine. The reason for the bearing and bearing seal shift could not be determined due to the extent of the engine damage. Postaccident examination and testing of the airplane’s parachute system found that the firing process was initiated, as indicated by the open circuit and broken bridge wire. However, undetermined inconsistencies within the ignition primer charge material prevented the subsequent ignition of the rocket propellent, which in turn prevented the activation of the parachute.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for an earlier emergency landing instead of continuing to climb.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • Photos
  • 20 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents20

Related mishaps