Cirrus SR22 N597CP

Summary

On 29 November 2018 at about 23:55 local time, a Cirrus SR22 registered N597CP, operated by Cavern Aviation LLC., was involved in an accident near Kennesaw, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 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

29 November 2018 at 23:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Kennesaw, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Cobb County Intl-Mccollum Fiel (RYY)

Coordinates

34.0394, -84.5858

Aircraft

Cirrus SR22

Registration

N597CP

Category

Airplane

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Cavern Aviation LLC.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Olathe → Atlanta

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ERA19LA057

2 people had minor injuries.

The total loss of engine power due to the interruption of oil circulation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the descent from 17,500 ft mean sea level (msl), as the airplane was passing through about 7,500 ft msl, the pilot felt a jolt from the engine and subsequently received a low oil pressure alert. The pilot diverted to a closer airport and continued the descent. When the airplane was about 2,000 ft msl, the pilot felt additional jolts and observed sparks emanating from the engine cowling area. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost total power. With no clear landing area available in nighttime conditions over an urban area, he activated the whole-airframe parachute system, and the airplane impacted trees and terrain with the parachute deployed. The fuselage, wings, and empennage sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine crankcase revealed a fracture hole at the No. 6 cylinder, and the connecting rod had sheared from the upper crankshaft bearing. Disassembly of the engine and its components revealed that the left turbocharger had seized; rub marks were observed inside the turbine housing; metal contaminants were found inside the oil filter; and the oil sump contained damaged connecting rod ends, valve lifters, and engine bearings. The damage is consistent with an oil circulation interruption and catastrophic engine failure. The source of the interruption of oil circulation to the engine could not be determined after engine disassembly.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.