Friday, November 30, 2018

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Cirrus SR22, N597CP; accident occurred November 29, 2018 near Cobb County International Airport (KRYY), Kennesaw, Georgia

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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama
Cirrus Aircraft; Duluth, Minnesota
Hartzell Engine Technologies; Montgomery, Alabama
Epps Air Service Inc; Atlanta, Georgia
 
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


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

https://registry.faa.gov/N597CP


Location: Kennesaw, GA
Accident Number: ERA19LA057
Date & Time: 11/29/2018, 1855 EST
Registration: N597CP
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On November 29, 2018, at 1855 eastern standard time, a Cirrus SR-22, N597CP, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) was deployed near Kennesaw, Georgia. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Cavern Aviation LLC. under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC), Olathe, Kansas, about 1610, and was destined for Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Chamblee, Georgia.

The pilot reported that during the descent from 17,500 ft mean sea level (msl), about 7,000 ft msl and 20 nautical miles from PDK, he felt the engine "jolt" and subsequently received a low oil pressure warning message. Prior to the notification, all engine instruments had been in the normal range throughout the flight. The pilot reduced the throttle and notified Cobb County International Airport (RYY), Kennesaw, Georgia, of his intentions to divert and land. While on an extended base leg for runway 27 at RYY, about 2,000 ft msl, the pilot felt another engine jolt and observed sparks emanating from the engine cowling area. Shortly thereafter, the engine jolted a third time, and lost all power. With no clear landing area in-sight, he activated the CAPS and prepared for impact. Subsequently, the CAPS deployed, and the airplane impacted trees and terrain.

Engine data extracted from the primary flight display was consistent with what the pilot reported. As the airplane was descending through about 7,500 ft msl, about 6 minutes prior to the loss of engine power, oil pressure decreased from about 44 psi to 15 psi over the course of about one minute. Oil pressure continued to gradually decline to zero for the remainder of the recorded data. All other engine parameters remained nominal throughout the flight until the loss of engine power occurred.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with instrument airplane privileges. He was issued an FAA third-class medical certificate in January 2014. The pilot reported 899 total flight hours, all of which were in the accident airplane. His most recent flight review was in October 2017.

According to FAA airworthiness records, the low-wing airplane was powered by a Continental Motors IO-550-N engine equipped with a Tornado Alley Turbo turbonormalizing system. The most recent annual and 100-hour inspections were completed in October 2018. The Cirrus Recoverable Data Module (RDM) was recovered; however, the RDM only contained data from more than 3 years prior to the accident.

According to Cirrus Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 2X-31-05 R2, released August 27, 2009, which was applicable to the accident airplane, the RDM was required to be removed and replaced with a new RDM (Part No. 24618-005) to correct for a potential software issue that caused it to fail to store data correctly. The RDM removed from the accident airplane was an older RDM with a part No. 24618-002.

According to a maintenance endorsement record, during the October 2018 100-hour inspection, an oil intake leak was discovered on the left (pilot side) turbocharger. The maintenance record stated that a gasket was removed and replaced on the turbocharger. On November 15, 2018, a maintenance record stated that the oil and filter were replaced; during an engine run-up after the work, no leaks were found.

The 1848 weather conditions reported at RYY, about 1.6 miles south of the accident site, included visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 ft above ground level (agl), broken clouds at 5,000 ft and 9,000 ft agl, wind 050° at 4 knots, temperature 11°C, dew point 4°C, barometric pressure 30.08 inches of mercury.

According to the Astronomical Applications Department at the United States Naval Observatory, the end of civil twilight was at 1756.

According to an FAA inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site, the CAPS had deployed, and the airplane impacted trees during the descent. The airplane came to rest upright and the fuselage, wings, and empennage sustained substantial damage. The engine crankcase at the No. 6 cylinder displayed a fracture hole and the connecting rod had sheared from the upper crankshaft bearing. There was no evidence that oil had sprayed along the fuselage or windscreen. Fragments of the upper cowling were located about 720 ft northwest of the main wreckage.

Examination of the engine revealed that thumb compression and suction could not be established, as the engine could not be rotated by hand due to internal mechanical damage. Further disassembly of the engine and its components revealed that all intake and exhaust valves were intact and exhibited normal combustion signatures. The spark plugs displayed normal operating and combustion signatures, the magnetos tested normal during a bench test, the fuel pump rotated normally, and no debris was noted in the fuel manifold valve fuel screen. Several connecting rod's and bearings were damaged and exhibited signatures of extreme high heat.

The engine oil pump's gears were observed to be intact; however, metal contaminants were observed inside the oil filter and the oil pump's housing exhibited damage consistent with hard particle passage. The oil sump displayed several small protrusions from the inside out. When the oil sump was removed, damaged connecting rod ends, valve lifters, and engine bearings were discovered.

Examination of the left turbocharger revealed that it could not be rotated by hand; the turbine and compressor wheel/housing exhibited rub marks, with corresponding blade tip damage on the turbine and compressor wheels, which indicated the marks occurred while the turbine was rotating. The left turbocharger oil supply check valves were functionally tested and operated properly.

The right turbocharger rotated freely, and no remarkable external damage was observed. The right turbocharger oil supply check valves were functionally tested and operated properly. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 44, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:No 
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/29/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/26/2017
Flight Time:  898.6 hours (Total, all aircraft), 898.6 hours (Total, this make and model), 763 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 47 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 14 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cirrus
Registration: N597CP
Model/Series: SR22 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 3359
Landing Gear Type:Tricycle 
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/04/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1969.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT:  Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: IO-550-N
Registered Owner: Cavern Aviation LLC.
Rated Power: 310 hp
Operator: Cavern Aviation LLC.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None  

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRYY, 1040 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1848 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 20°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 5000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 50°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Olathe, KS (OJC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Atlanta, GA (PDK)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1610 EST
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Cobb County Intl-Mccollum Field (RYY)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 1040 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6295 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 34.039444, -84.585833 (est)

Location: Kennesaw, GA
Accident Number: ERA19LA057
Date & Time: 11/29/2018, 1855 EST
Registration: N597CP
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On November 29, 2018, at 1855 eastern standard time, a Cirrus SR-22, N597CP, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) was deployed near Kennesaw, Georgia. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Cavern Aviation LLC. under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC), Olathe, Kansas, about 1610, and was destined for Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Chamblee, Georgia.

The pilot reported that during the descent that originated from 17,500 ft mean sea level (msl), about 7,000 ft msl and 20 nautical miles from PDK, he felt the engine "jolt" and subsequently received a low oil pressure warning message. Prior to the notification, all engine instruments had been in the "normal" range. The pilot reduced the throttle and notified Cobb County International Airport (RYY), Kennesaw, Georgia, of his intentions to divert. While on an extended base leg for runway 27 at RYY, about 2,000 ft msl, the pilot experienced another "jolt" and observed sparks emanating from the engine cowling area. Shortly thereafter, the engine jolted a third time, and the pilot pulled the mixture to idle-cut-off and turned the ignition key off to shut down the engine. He reported that with no clear landing area in-sight, he pulled the CAPS and prepared for impact.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site, the CAPS had deployed, and the airplane impacted trees during the descent. The airplane came to rest upright and the fuselage, wings, and empennage sustained substantial damage. The engine crankcase at the number 6 cylinder displayed a fracture hole and the connecting rod had sheared from the upper crankshaft bearing. There was no other damage observed on the engine, nor evidence of oil spraying observed. Fragments of the upper cowling were located about 720 ft northwest of the main wreckage.

According to FAA airman records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with instrument airplane privileges. He was issued a third-class medical certificate in January 2014.

According to FAA airworthiness records, the low-wing airplane was powered by a Continental Motors IO-550-N engine equipped with a Tornado Alley Turbo turbonormalizing system. The most recent annual inspection was completed in October 2018.

The weather conditions reported at 1848, at RYY, about 1.6 miles south of the accident site, included visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 ft above ground level (agl), broken clouds at 5,000 ft and 9,000 ft agl, wind 050° at 4 knots, temperature 11°C, dew point 4°C, barometric pressure 30.08 inches of mercury.

The wreckage was retained for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cirrus
Registration: N597CP
Model/Series: SR22 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Cavern Aviation LLC.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRYY, 1040 ft msl
Observation Time: 1848 EST
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 50°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 5000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Departure Point: Olathe, KS (OJC)
Destination: Atlanta, GA (PDK)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude:  34.039444, -84.585833 (est)




















KENNESAW — The location where their plane went down and the aircraft’s deployed parachute may have aided in the survival of two men in a crash on the Kennesaw campus of Kennesaw State University Thursday night.

The Cirrus SR22 had deployed the parachute before crashing onto a grassy spot on the university campus, according to Eric Weiss, spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the investigation into the crash.


Neither federal nor local authorities would release specifics on the men involved in the crash, although local authorities had been on the scene of the crash Thursday and at the time reported they had been alert, conscious and speaking to personnel after the crash before being taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta in stable condition.


The aircraft originated from Omaha, Nebraska, and had been heading to Fulton County Airport-Brown Field before experiencing engine failure, Cobb Fire spokesperson Denell Boyd said Thursday.


As the crow flies, the path between the plane’s departure city and destination would be a straight southeasterly shot, but the plane seemed to be pointed in a more easterly direction where it landed on the KSU campus — just off the intersection of Campus Loop Road and Bartow Avenue on the west side of campus.


Hitting the ground near the university’s Visual Arts building, and across from the Social Sciences Building on the opposite side of Bartow Avenue, both Weiss and KSU officials said no structural damage to any buildings had been reported.


Damage from the scene Thursday appeared to be limited to trees near the Visual Arts building.


Campus operations were not affected Friday beyond Bartow Avenue being closed to traffic, but by the afternoon, the road had been reopened, KSU spokesperson Tammy DeMel said.


The plane was removed from campus by those involved in the investigation early Friday afternoon, DeMel added.


The NTSB’s initial information released regarding the crash does not detail what direction the plane may have been traveling in at the time of the crash, Weiss said. It also did not have any details on air traffic control communications the plane’s pilot may have had with nearby Cobb County International Airport-McCollum Field in the minutes leading up to the crash.


Federal investigators have not released any written details on the crash, with Weiss saying that a preliminary report on a typical crash would likely be completed within 10 business days.


“(That report) won’t have anything about the cause — it’ll just have what preliminary information we received: where it was going, when it was going, details on the crash site, the wreckage, the damage,” Weiss said.


A factual report once most of the investigation is done will follow, with a final report detailing the probable cause of the crash, both of which may not be completed for months.


The NTSB’s website said it may take 12 to 18 months to determine a crash’s cause.


Investigators will focus on three main areas — the human factor, machinery and environmental conditions — according to Weiss, who added that the NTSB’s initial information Friday did not detail the weather at the time of the crash.


Conditions at McCollum Field at 6:48 p.m. — just minutes before the crash — were reported by the National Weather Service to be overcast with a northeasterly wind of 5 mph, with the temperature at 52 degrees and visibility at 10 miles.


Boyd had said Thursday that she and other first-responders were “grateful” that no one was killed or seriously injured in the crash.


“Any time you go to these kinds of plane crashes, you’re grateful there’s no one killed. I’ve been to several plane crashes where the planes were caught on the power lines, and you’re like, ‘Just hang up there so we can get you down,’” Boyd said. “We’re very thankful that they’re OK. You don’t end up in this situation many times where you’re not hurt badly.”


Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.mdjonline.com



KENNESAW, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Two men were recovering late Thursday night after their plane crashed onto the campus of Kennesaw State University.

It happened in the area of Frey Lake Road at Campus Loop Road. The FAA said a Cirrus SR22 aircraft was involved in the crash around 6:50 p.m.

Cobb County Police said the two men were transported to an area hospital for treatment but were talking with emergency workers when they were pulled from the wreckage.

Authorities said the plane was headed to Fulton County Airport-Brown Field from Omaha, Nebraska. Initial indications point to engine failure as the cause.

"We were actually just getting out of my car and heard a loud noise and we turned around, saw a little flash of light, so we were really confused," Kelly Kozusko told FOX 5's Marissa Mitchell. "I thought it was a bottle rocket or something like we didn't think anything major of it just, it scared us so but we didn't think it was anything this crazy."

"What I heard was a loud crash, you know, I thought it was a gunshot, so I locked all the doors and then I started to hear sirens which got me really worried,"  another witness who lives nearby said. "It was close to my house and it could have crashed on my house with me inside."

"My first thought was like a gunshot kind of sound like a giant explosion kind of sound like I don't know, it just sounded very loud and explosive. and we turned around and we saw like an arch and a light," said KSU student Imani Francis. 

Campus officials said no one on campus was hurt and the crash will not interfere with school operations Friday.

The campus is located about two miles northeast of the Cobb County International Airport and 18 miles north-northwest of Fulton County Airport-Brown Field.

Michael Phillips, who owns his own photography business, arrived at the scene shortly after the crash and started to take pictures. He shared those with FOX 5 News.

Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.fox5atlanta.com

14 comments:

  1. Something's up with these birds. It seems commonplace now to see them drop from the sky onto who-knows-what with their parachutes billowing in the breeze. Engine problems top the list of ailments (Though fuel, water, or other factors could be the culprits..) I'm not familiar with these new-fangled, carbonated airyplanes, but unless I miss my guess, they're motivated with big pony Continental engines.

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  2. OMG. The sky is falling. Seriously?

    How many of these are pilot error? You have no clue.

    If you feel they aren’t safe don’t get in one. Rest of us will.

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  3. Wouldn't be caught dead in a Cirrus. No way Jose.

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  4. davey:

    The original problem with cirrus pilots was their ego got in the way of using their ballistic chutes. At one time, 3 out of 5 fatals in cirrus would have been prevented if chute used. It seems these newer pilots are actually using the chute for what it was intended for. If doubtful, just look at how many cessna fatals could have been prevented by a ballistic chute. The unfortunate side to this are the ones who lost their lives using the chute when it had performance "issues" in the beginning. Blue side up.

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  5. I'll take your word for it. I regard these planes as experimental types, rather than established--read tried and true--airframes like Cessna 182s, or Piper Comanches. In that realm (Experimental), accident rates are higher. You Tube features lots of videos of these planes floating down to impact parking lots or freeways, fields, etc. The novelty has worn off, but pilots who pull those chutes know the damage to the aircraft will be extensive, but souls will survive. I personally would not choose to deploy the chute unless the situation is extremely grave.

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  6. The SR20 series ARE tried and true production aircraft. They are not experimental. In the absence of any scientific research, I don't recall ever hearing of an airframe failure in a Cirrus. Any engine failures are more likely due to fuel exhaustion. Regardless, if an engine fails, it's not likely due to the basic aircraft design. That parachute is a god-send. Many lives have been saved by that feature. Also, if you find yourself suffering from vertigo, or spatial disorientation, press a button and the Cirrus will fly straight and level. It's a great airplane.

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  7. 750 nm. What’s the range of a cirrus?

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  8. As for the range of an SR22, it's 1000nm with 45min reserve. Of course that is without wind conditions factored in; a decent tailwind it's farther, less with a headwind, and pushing up the speed will yield less range as well. A glance at Flightaware shows the plane on a similar range IFR trip at 20,000ft so it's clear that the operator(s) flew the plane through its operating envelope.

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  9. My reference to Tried-and-True planes means they've been in production and flying since before most of us were born. These new composite designs haven't been around that long, and when they were introduced, the planes were home built or concepts. My good friend is an aircraft mechanic. He worked for a company that modified and improved airliners. He has nothing good to say about composites. I never flew a Cirrus, or any other type of modern composite construction plane. I have seen quite a few of them on the news and on You Tube floating down under a parachute. Reading the NTSB reports on this plane, one gets the general impression that they've got teething problems.

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  10. In other news, the cost of insuring a Cirrus Design aircraft just increased (again).

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  11. amazing how clueless Anonymous is.. geez oh Pete.. clueless.

    Cirrus chute pulls are in the 80s and not one person who pulled within the working parameters of the chute has perished. and only one or two did not make it because the plane was in an out of control dive at 300 knots after being iced up.

    Literally 150 plus souls are walking around because at the time of an engine failure or spatial disorientation they had the chute.. bottom line.. safest plane on the planet.



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  12. You have to be pretty stupid to buy a Cirrus.

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  13. I went to the crash site the night of the accident, I do not believe they ran out of fuel, you can physically see it on the ground and smell it. That said if you look at data from Flight aware the last time that plane has been picked up on radar is from 3 weeks ago... I am not sure that it came from Nebraska. I could be wrong. now if he was out of fuel just know Cirrus aren't dangerous I just think pilots take bigger risks knowing they have a Parachute that will save them. that said a catastrophic engine failure doesn't seem likely it is a possibility but uncommon for this plane. im sure somehow this will end up being pilot error, guess we will have to wait and see.

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