Cirrus SR22 N2824M

Summary

On 8 March 2024 at about 21:25 local time, a Cirrus SR22 registered N2824M was involved in an accident near Whitethorn, California, United States. 3 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

8 March 2024 at 21:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Whitethorn, California, United States

Coordinates

39.9752, -123.9783

Aircraft

Cirrus SR22

Registration

N2824M

Category

Airplane

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Shelter Cove → Santa Rosa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA106

2 people had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had not flown the airplane frequently in the months leading up to the accident. On the day of the accident flight, he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane, including a visual inspection of the fuel level, and determined there was sufficient fuel on board for the flight. However, he did not recall if a fuel sample was taken. During the initial climb, the engine initially sputtered and then lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but without success; he deployed the airplane’s emergency parachute. The airplane impacted trees and subsequently came to rest on the ground inverted. Aircraft recovery personnel reported that fuel was leaking from the airplane, and they recovered about 26 gallons of fuel from the left wing. No fuel was recovered from the right wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The fuel manifold assembly was removed and disassembled, and a liquid substance was noted. The liquid substance was tested for water using SAR-GEL, a water-finding paste; it tested positive for water. It is likely the total loss of engine power was a result of water in the airplane’s fuel system. It could not be determined how or when the water entered the airplane’s fuel system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.