NTSB Factual Report

On August 29, 2010, at 1657 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus SR22, N451TS, registered to Ellis Aviation LLC, and operated by Aero Atlantic Flight Center, experienced a total loss of engine power while descending in the vicinity of Acworth, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and the private pilot receiving instruction were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The instructional flight was operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed from Barwick LaFayette Airport (9A5), LaFayette, Georgia at 1615.

The CFI stated the flight initially originated at Cobb County Airport-McCollum Field (RYY), Atlanta, Georgia. A preflight inspection was conducted and no anomalies were noted. The airplane had 24 gallons of fuel in both the left and right main fuel tanks. The CFI stated that they used 75 percent power in cruise flight and they changed fuel tanks every 30 minutes. The airplane departed RYY at 1430, with the pilot receiving instruction flying, and climbed to a cruising altitude of 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl). The airplane arrived at Dalton Municipal Airport (DNN), Dalton Georgia, at 1455, and conducted eight touch and go landings. The airplane departed DNN at 1530, and climbed to a cruising altitude of 3,500 feet msl en route to 9A5, arriving at 1550. The pilot made a full stop landing, taxied back to the active runway and completed an engine run up, before departing at 1615 to RYY. The CFI stated that prior to departing, the fuel gage indicated the left and right main fuel tanks contained 14 gallons of fuel each.

The flight was at 3,500 feet until the CFI instructed the student to descend to 3,000 feet. They were about 8 to 9 miles west-northwest of RYY when the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. The CFI took control of the airplane and instructed the student to turn the alternate air on as he initiated the engine out procedures. The CFI turned the airplane to the right towards a golf course and assumed the best glide airspeed. He decided not to deploy the ballistic parachute and continued with a forced landing to the golf course. The airplane touched down on the fairway and struck two trees, before coming to a complete stop.

Examination of the airplane on August 30, 2009, by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the right main fuel tank was intact and fuel was present. The left main fuel tank was ruptured and no fuel was present. There was no browning of vegetation under the left wing of the airplane. Recovery personnel drained 16 gallons of fuel from the right main fuel tank.

The airplane was transported to a salvage company and the Multi-Function Display (MFD) compact flash card was removed and forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Division for download. The flash card was in good condition and data were extracted normally from the device. Based on recorded information the fuel used started at 0.1 gallons. The maximum recorded value for fuel used was 29.9 gallons (16:55:44 EDT). The fuel used was then recorded at 0.0.

The airplane propeller was repaired and the fuselage was strapped to a truck in preparation for an engine run. Fuel was hooked up to the left side fuel system and the aircraft battery was charged. The engine was started normally using the airframe electrical system. The engine was allowed to remain at idle power but an oil leak was observed and the engine was shut down.

The engine was examined and it was determined that the standby alternator mounting flange had sustained damaged during the accident sequence and was leaking oil. Two quarts of oil were added to the oil sump and the engine was restarted. The engine power was advanced and a magneto check was preformed. The magneto drops were within the normal operating range. The engine power was advanced to 2,700 rpm, and 25 inches of manifold pressure. The oil pressure indicated 50 psi. The engine power was then reduced to idle power and the engine was shut down using the mixture control.

Fuel calculations were computed for the flight using performance data from Section 5 of the SR22 Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), fuel flow data provided by the pilot, and the outside air temperature at the time of the accident.

According to the POH, the airplane has 1.5 gallons of un-usable fuel in each fuel tank. The engine will use 1.5 gallons of fuel for engine start, taxi and takeoff. The engine will use 1.3 gallons of fuel while climbing to cruise altitude. At 74 percent power, 29 degrees Celsius, and a pressure altitude of 4,000 feet the engine will use 18.5 gallons per hour. It was not determined how much fuel the engine would use for the eight touch and go landings. The engine would use 1.5 gallons of fuel for the one full stop landing and taxi back for takeoff, engine run-up and takeoff to its destination airport. In addition, it would use 1.3 gallons of fuel to climb to its cruise altitude. The pilot’s total estimated flying time was 2 hours 20 minutes. The total fuel required at a fuel rate of 18.5 gallons per hour in the left main fuel tank would be 47.41 gallons. The fuel remaining after changing fuel tank one time at a 30 minute interval would have been about 35.46 gallons. The MFD flash card indicates the pilot flew for 2 hours 7 minutes. The total fuel used was 29.9 gallons. The fuel required for the flight was about 46.25 gallons. If the fuel tank was changed one time at a 30 minute interval the fuel remaining would have been about 37 gallons.

The operator stated the fuel burn rate for the airplane is about 14 to 15 gallons per hour. The same criteria were used except for a fuel use rate of 14 gallons per hour. The total fuel required at a fuel rate of 14 gallons per hour in the left main fuel tank would be 39.67 gallons. If the fuel was changed one time he would have 32.67 gallons of fuel remaining. The MFD flash card indicates the pilot flew for 2 hours 7 minutes. The total fuel used at 14 gallons was 36.64 gallons. If he changed the fuel selector one time he would have 29.64 gallons of fuel remaining.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots improper in-flight fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power during a descent due to fuel starvation.