Cirrus SR22 N742CD

Summary

On 27 December 2003 at about 20:42 local time, a Cirrus SR22 registered N742CD was involved in an accident near King, North Carolina, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 December 2003 at 20:42

Classification

Accident

Location

King, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

36.4806, -80.5972

Aircraft

Cirrus SR22

Registration

N742CD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Martinsville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL04LA060

1 person was seriously injured.

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout and obstacle clearance while performing a simulated engine out resulting in an in-flight-collision with a power line and the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he was at 5,500 feet explaining to a passenger what he would do in the event of an engine failure. He pulled the power back, continued the explanation, and turned towards a forced landing area. He increased throttle at 3,500 feet in order to change his direction and head back. The power lever felt funny and the engine did not respond. He continued to monitor his instruments and continued with the forced landing. He did not inform his passengers of the emergency. The pilot did not remember seeing the power lines before the collision. The front seat passenger informed the Highway Patrol Officer who responded to the accident site that when the pilot attempted to climb out from the approach, the airplane collided with the power line and the ground. A witness on the ground who observed the accident stated the airplane was in a right descending turn heading towards an open field. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, and throttle assembly, revealed no anomalies. The engine was mounted in a test stand. The engine started and ran at idle power. After engine warm up the throttle was increased to 2,000 rpm and a magneto check was completed. The throttle was advanced to full power and back to the idle position. The engine was shut down with the mixture control..

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.