NTSB Factual Report

On October 15, 2017, about 1100 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22T airplane, N289CM, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Moton Field Municipal Airport (06A), Tuskegee, Alabama. The airplane was registered to Skylane Partners, LLC and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that after completing the preflight inspection and the before takeoff checks, he departed runway 13 from 06A. Shortly after takeoff, during the initial climb, he sensed the airplane slow down and the climb rate diminish. Realizing the airplane had suffered a partial loss of power well below 1,000 feet above ground level, and unable to return to the airport, he selected a sod field as an off-airport landing site. During the forced landing the airplane's landing gear collapsed and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

In a written statement, a fixed base operator (FBO) Line Service Technician at 06A reported that he observed a cloud of faint white smoke after the accident airplane's engine was started. He stated that the engine sounded "choppy" throughout the entire takeoff. After liftoff, about midfield, he observed grey smoke being emitted from the airplane's exhaust. About 200 feet above ground level, the airplane's speed began to decrease as it entered a gradual left bank and began to lose altitude. Concerned for the occupant's safety, he radioed the pilot and asked, "Is everything OK" and the pilot responded, "We have a field in sight." He continued to observe the airplane as it disappeared behind the trees followed by the sounds of an airplane impacting the ground. Unable to contact the pilot on the radio, he immediately notified first responders of the accident.

The closest weather reporting facility was Auburn University Regional Airport (AUO), Auburn, Alabama, about 16 miles northeast of the accident site. At 1056, a METAR from AUO was reporting, in part: wind from 180° at 5 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few clouds at 1,100 feet, broken clouds at 5,500 feet; temperature, 77° F; dew point 70° F; altimeter, 30.20inches of mercury.

The airplane was equipped with a Continental TSIO-550 series engine; a detailed engine examination is pending.