Cirrus SR22 N621JE

Summary

On 19 August 2019 at about 07:43 local time, a Cirrus SR22 registered N621JE, operated by Trident Aircraft, was involved in an accident near Tappahannock, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 August 2019 at 07:43

Classification

Accident

Location

Tappahannock, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Tappahannock-Essex County Airp (XSA)

Coordinates

37.8600, -76.8847

Aircraft

Cirrus SR22

Registration

N621JE

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Trident Aircraft

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Richmond → Easton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ERA19FA251

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's inability to land on the runway in dark night conditions with reported smoke in the cockpit, which necessitated the deployment of the airplane's parachute system.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during a cross-country flight in night visual meteorological conditions, he noticed fumes in the cockpit upon reaching a cruise altitude of 3,500 ft mean sea level. He reported the fumes to air traffic control and diverted to the nearest airport. Shortly thereafter, he noticed smoke in the cockpit and attempted to land at the diversion airport, but the airplane was too high to land, and he performed a go-around. After the first landing attempt, he turned off the air conditioner and electrical system and attempted to land again but was unable to do so due to the darkness and smoke in the cockpit. He subsequently decided to deploy the airframe parachute system. The pilot did not recall anything else due to his injuries. Examination of the wreckage and the airplane's non-volatile memory did not reveal any preimpact electrical or mechanical anomalies that would have resulted in smoke in the cabin; therefore, the reason for the reported fumes and smoke could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.