Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Cirrus SR22, N927DS; accident occurred March 23, 2016 near Alexandria International Airport (KAEX), Rapides Parish, Louisiana

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 
Cirrus Aircraft; Duluth, Minnesota 
Continental Motors Inc; Mobile, Alabama 

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket  - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N927DS

Location: Alexandria, LA
Accident Number: CEN16LA143
Date & Time: 03/23/2016, 1600 CDT
Registration: N927DS
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 23, 2016, about 1600 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22 airplane, N927DS, impacted terrain following the deployment of the ballistic recovery system (BRS) parachute near Alexandria International Airport (AEX), Alexandria, Louisiana. The pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was registered to Rucks Aviation, LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

According to the pilot, he and the flight instructor departed Dallas Executive Airport, Dallas, Texas, and were en route to AEX. The flight was uneventful until the descent into AEX. During the descent, he reduced the engine throttle and noticed some "shaking from the engine." After some brief troubleshooting, he realized the engine would not make sufficient power for a landing at AEX. Due to the unsuitable terrain for an off-airport landing, the pilot elected to activate the BRS. The airplane descended to the ground under the parachute canopy sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during the impact.

Seven gallons of fuel were drained from the right wing fuel tank, and 23 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing fuel tank. The fuel selector was found in the right fuel tank position.

The engine was placed in a manufacturer's test cell for a functional test. According to the manufacturer, the engine experienced a normal start on the first attempt without hesitation or stumbling in observed RPM. The engine was tested at various power settings for about 25 minutes including rapid throttle applications. Throughout the test phase, the engine accelerated normally without any hesitation, stumbling, or interruption in power and demonstrated the ability to produced rated horsepower. Postaccident examination revealed no airframe or engine anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 43, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/09/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/14/2015
Flight Time: 90 hours (Total, all aircraft), 11 hours (Total, this make and model), 90 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Private
Age: , Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed:No 
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP
Registration: N927DS
Model/Series: SR22 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 0497
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/23/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 2 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1246.5 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-550-N
Registered Owner: Rucks Aviation, LLC
Rated Power: 310 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 5500 ft agl
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts:
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Dallas, TX (RBD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Alexandria, LA
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1430 CDT
Type of Airspace:Class E 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 31.480556, -92.731667 (est)