# NTSB CEN16LA151: Cirrus Design SR20, N8PY, Caldwell, TX, April 10, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 10, 2016, 15:34 local (20:34 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, TX - Coordinates: 30.515556, -96.70417 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5156&lon=-96.7042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Cirrus Aircraft, FAA FSDO, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 93003 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93003/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93003 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA151 ## Probable cause The failure of the No. 5 cylinder's exhaust pipe for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fast and long landing, which led to a runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine exhaust: collector/nozzle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057810): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057810/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057810/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) ## Analysis While in cruise flight, the private pilot experienced a vibration and noise that seemed to be originating from the engine. He reported that the engine rpm became erratic, and the airplane became harder to control due to the unusual vibration. As the pilot proceeded to the closest airport for a precautionary landing, the engine "seemed to be starting and stopping" or sputtering. The pilot reported that, before touching down on the 3,252-foot-long runway, the engine experienced a total loss of power. He flared the airplane above the runway and touched down at a higher-than-normal speed. The airplane bounced and settled onto the runway near its midpoint. Despite full braking action, the pilot was unable to stop the airplane, and it overran the runway before colliding with a tree and fence. An examination of the engine found that the exhaust pipe had fractured from the No. 5 cylinder; however, the reason for the separation could not be determined. No additional preimpact anomalies were detected with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane's multifunction display recorded the airplane's flight and engine parameters. Data showed a large drop in exhaust gas temperature of the No. 5 cylinder consistent with a failure of the exhaust pipe. The data revealed that, during the landing, the engine was operating until just before the airplane came to rest when the manifold pressure increased to ambient pressure. ## Factual narrative On April 10, 2016, at 1534 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR20 airplane, N8PY, exited the end of the runway after a precautionary landing at Caldwell Municipal Airport (RWV), Caldwell, Texas. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Second Chance Wings LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated with visual flight rules flight following.According to the pilot, while en route he started to feel an unusual vibration and noise that seemed to originate from the engine. The engine rpm became erratic and the airplane became harder to control due to the vibrations. He contacted air traffic control and reported the difficulty he was experiencing with the airplane. The pilot did not want to declare an emergency and air traffic control informed the pilot that the closest airfield (RWV) was 6 miles behind his current direction. As the pilot proceeded to the airport, he reported that the engine "seemed to be starting and stopping" or sputtering. The pilot did not see the airport quick enough for a straight in approach, so he circled the airport to land on runway 15. During the circle, the engine sputtering got worse. Prior to touching down on the 3,252-ft long runway, the pilot reported that the engine sputtered to a stop and the pilot then slipped the airplane to the runway. He flared the airplane and touched down with about 60% runway remaining (about 1,950 ft) and at a higher than normal approach speed. The airplane bounced and touched down again near mid-field. Using full braking action, the pilot was unable to keep the airplane on the runway and it overran the runway and collided with a tree and a fence. An examination of the engine found that the exhaust pipe had fractured from the No. 5 cylinder. No additional preimpact anomalies were detected with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was equipped with an Avidyne Primary Flight Display and Multifunction Flight Display. Data recorded by these devices was downloaded and reviewed. On the accident flight, the No. 5 cylinder exhaust gas temperature (EGT) was consistently lower than the other cylinders, while the cylinder head temperatures were all similar. At 1525:48, No. 5 EGT was 1290° Fahrenheit (F) and at 1525:54, the EGT decreased to 93° F and continued to rapidly decrease. Between 1525:54 and 1532:30, engine rpm fluctuated between 2,080 and 2,400 rpm, fuel flow varied between 9 and 14 gallons per hour (GPH), and manifold pressure varied between 24 and 26 inches of mercury (inHg). Between 1532:36 and 1533:00, rpm stabilized about 1890, fuel flow varied between 6 and 8 GPH, and manifold pressure was between 21 and 23 inHg. Between 1533:24 and 1533:54, engine rpm decreased from 1,880 to 1,300, fuel flow remained constant at 2 GPH,and manifold pressure varied from 7 to 12 inHg. Altitude data put the airplane's touch down between 1533:42 and 1533:54. At 1534:00, engine rpm was 40, fuel flow was 0, and manifold pressure was 30 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8PY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8PY), registered now, S/N 1645 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cirrus Design SR20](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr20) (registry code 2130000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360-ES](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-es) (registry code 17160, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1645 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 1766.4 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-360-ES 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 2016, 25.5 hours before - Departed: 4R7, EUNICE, LA - Destination: RYW, LAGO VISTA, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: RWV, Caldwell Muni, runway 15, 3,252 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Airframe parachute, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 6, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 135 total, 22 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 16 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KRWV ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20160410015139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160410015139A), Apr 10, 2016: Cirrus Design Corp SR20, Caldwell, TX, Substantial damage. 04/10/2016 - This office received a report of an aircraft that had overshot the runway at Caldwell Municipal Airport (rwv) and was in a field. An onsite… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93003. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452122&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Front Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452123&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Front%20Passenger%20Statement-Master.PDF - Engine Examination (item 3, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452124&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 574 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452125&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Cockpit Displays Recorded Flight Data Factual Report (item 5, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452126&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cockpit%20Displays%20Recorded%20Flight%20Data%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Attachment 1 - Cockpit Displays Factual Report (item 6, .CSV, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452127&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Attachment%201%20-%20Cockpit%20Displays%20Factual%20Report-Master.csv - Data Overlay (item 7, .PDF, 469 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Data%20Overlay-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.