20160706012079I

On July 06, 2016 the pilot of N321HB was on a routine flight under title 14 CFR part 91 flight rules from khvn (new haven, CT) to kmcn (middle Georgia regional). It was reported to the regional operations center that the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power approximately 30 miles east of kmcn and had to deploy the aircraft?s caps (Cirrus airframe parachute system). The aircraft landed in a wooded area on the north side of the wolf creek landfill in Dry Branch, Georgia and sustained minor damage with no injuries.

On July 6, 2016 at approximately 0940 EST an aviation safety inspector from the atlanta FSDO was dispatched to determine the cause of the reported incident. On arrival to the incident site the inspector was met by several members of the twiggs county sheriff?s department. In a written report provided by the twiggs county sherriff?s department it was stated that the pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft and had made an emergency landing at approximately 0200 EST after experiencing engine failure. As a result of the total loss of engine failure, the pilot decided to deploy the aircrafts parachute system and was able to safely land the aircraft without substantial damage or injuries. The sheriff?s department stated that the pilot left the scene of the accident and was able to make it to a relative?s home approximately 30 miles away from the accident site. The sheriff?s department was able to locate the pilot and returned him to the accident site at about 1130 EST to speak with the FAA. During questioning by the twiggs county sheriff?s department the pilot stated that he had been awake for 4-5 days and had been recovering from a heroin episode or some complication with an addiction. The pilots wife stated that her husband may have been under the influence of marijuana and possibly other drugs. During questioning by an inspector from the atlanta FSDO, the pilot stated that he could not remember any details from the flight and seemed to avoid all questioning concerning it. The pilot was very uncooperative and would not provide any additional information as to the cause of the accident.

An examination of the aircraft wreckage site showed that the aircraft had struck the ground in a 45 degree nose down position and was being partially suspended by the deployed parachute that had caught the trees during landing. As a result of the impact, the aircraft sustained minor damage to the front of the engine cowling. The engine propeller displayed bend characteristics associated with that of an engine not providing power during impact. There was minor damage to the left and right trailing ends of the flaps and a slight bend on the horizontal stabilizer. An examination of the left and right fuel tanks showed that there was zero fuel on board. Atlanta air salvage was contacted to remove the aircraft and to relocate it to their facility in griffin, Georgia for further evaluation.

On July 11, 2016 an inspector from the atlanta FSDO travelled to atlanta air salvage to meet with an investigator from the Cirrus aircraft company to further evaluate the aircraft damage. The Cirrus investigator was able to download the flight data of the aircrafts flight off the installed serial data cards. The serial data cards showed that the aircraft fuel tanks had displayed ?0? Fuel quantity at approximately 5,390 feet and that the handle for the parachute was pulled when the aircraft reached 864 feet.

On July 12, 2016 a letter was sent to the southern regional flight surgeon concerning the statement that the pilot had provided regarding his addiction with drugs and alcohol. As a result the pilots medical certificate has been suspended pending a reexamination from a FAA approved flight physician.

A review of the aircraft records showed that the aircraft was purchased new in November 2015. The aircraft had been serviced as required by the manufacturers maintenance manual. The aircraft had accumulated 191 total hours sin