# NTSB ERA16LA110: Cirrus Design SR22, N256CD, Palatka, FL, February 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 23, 2016, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Palatka, FL - Coordinates: 29.620555, -81.65583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6206&lon=-81.6558&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 15, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Continental Motors, Cirrus Aircraft, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92756 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92756/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92756 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA110 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because engine examination, an engine test run, and review of engine monitor data did not reveal any evidence of preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that, while in cruise flight at 7,000 ft mean sea level (msl), he began a descent to a lower altitude to prepare for arrival at the destination airport. Just after he began the descent, he retarded the throttle slightly, and the engine power dropped dramatically. The propeller continued to rotate, and the pilot attempted to divert to the nearest airport. During the glide, the pilot adjusted the mixture, switched magnetos, and moved the throttle to full and then back to idle again with no effect. When he determined that the airplane would be unable to reach the diversion airport, he deployed the airframe parachute system about 1,000 ft msl. The airplane came to rest upright in the backyard of a residence. Examination of the airplane revealed that both wing fuel tanks were about half full of fuel. After recovery, examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded operation, and a successful engine test run was conducted. Additionally, review of engine monitor data did not reveal any anomalies before or after the partial loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On February 23, 2016, at 1115 eastern standard time, a Cirrus Design Corp. SR22, N256CD, was substantially damaged during impact with terrain, after deployment of the Cirrus Airplane Parachute System, following a partial loss of engine power near the Palatka Municipal Airport (28J), Palatka, Florida. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed from the Sanford-Lee County Airport (TTA), Sanford, North Carolina, about 0820. The flight was destined for the Leesburg International Airport (LEE), Leesburg, Florida. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.The pilot stated that while in cruise flight, at an altitude of 7,000 feet mean sea level (msl), he began a descent to a lower altitude in preparation for arrival at the destination airport. Just after the descent began, he retarded the throttle "slightly" and the "power dropped dramatically, perhaps to idle." The propeller continued to rotate but he was unsure of the exact engine rpm as he did not look at the tachometer. He requested and received vectors from air traffic control to the nearest airport and turned toward 28J. He then switched fuel tanks, adjusted the mixture, switched magnetos, and moved the throttle to full and back to idle again, all with no effect. When he determined that the airplane would not be able to reach the airport, he deployed the airframe parachute system about 1,000 feet msl. Examination of the airplane at the accident scene by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the it came to rest in a residential area, 2.8 nautical miles southeast of 28J, between a backyard shed and a recreational vehicle trailer. The parachute was entangled in power lines. The propeller and the nosewheel sustained damage, and the left aileron had separated from the wing. The inspector also noted that both wing fuel tanks were about half-full of fuel. The airplane was recovered to a storage facility and examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. With the engine still installed on the airframe, an engine test-run was performed. The engine started after two revolutions and ran continuously. After a brief warmup, the throttle was advanced to 1,700 rpm and a magneto check was performed, during which the rpm drop was about 100 rpm for each magneto. The throttle was advanced to full power momentarily, and the engine reached 2,500 rpm. The throttle was then retarded to idle and the engine speed dropped to about 800 rpm. The mixture control was then pulled to the idle/cut position and the engine ceased running. Data were download and plotted from an onboard engine monitor. Review of the data did not reveal any anomalies prior to or after the reduction in engine power and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N256CD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N256CD-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 0234, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cirrus Design SR22](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr22) (registry code 2130001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0234 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 1387 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550-N7B 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 2016, 4 hours before - Departed: TTA, SANFORD, NC - Destination: LEE, LEESBURG, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 28J, Palatka Muni - Lt Kay Larkin F - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Airframe parachute, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,900 total, 402 in this make and model, 1,850 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: K28J, 3 nm away ## 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 20160223002689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160223002689A), Feb 23, 2016: Cirrus Design Corp SR22, Palatka, FL, Substantial damage. Altitude was decreased by pulling the throttle back to idle. The engine did not respond when the throttle was increased. Engine checklist did not correct the… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92756. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467513&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467514&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Maintenance Log Excerpts (item 4, .PDF, 535 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467515&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Log%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo (item 6, .PDF, 1 photo, 394 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF - Engine Data Monitor - Factual Report (item 7, .PDF, 2 photos, 399 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Data%20Monitor%20-%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Engine Data Monitor - Attachment 1 - Tabular Data (item 8, .CSV, 199 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467519&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Engine%20Data%20Monitor%20-%20Attachment%201%20-%20Tabular%20Data-Master.csv - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 9, .PDF, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467520&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 10, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-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.