Golf Course Served As Emergency Landing Strip
An NTSB prelim has provided some puzzling details about the
recent deadstick landing executed by a Cirrus SR22 that has been
flying several hours before its engine failed, necessitating an
immediate unplanned landing on a golf course. Despite reports that
fuel gauges showed enough fuel in both tanks to continue flight and
that the pilots switched tanks every 30 minutes, the NTSB reports
that there was no physical evidence of fuel in the left tank, which
ruptured on impact, but also showed no signs of "browning of
vegetation" which should have indicated where fuel (from the
breached tank) spilled onto the ground and damaged the
vegetation.
NTSB Identification: ERA10LA454
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 29, 2010 in Acworth, GA
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22, registration: N451TS
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may
contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
On August 29, 2010, at 1658 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus
SR22, N451TS, registered to Ellis Aviation LLC, and operated by
Aero Atlantic Flight Center, experience 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 commercial pilot flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot
receiving instruction reported no injuries and the airplane
sustained substantial damage. The instructional flight was operated
in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The
flight last departed from Barwick LaFayette Airport (9A5),
LaFayette, Georgia at 1615.
The CFI stated the flight initially originated from 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 the left and right main fuel tanks. The
CFI stated they used 75 percent power in cruise flight and they
changed fuel tanks every 30 minutes. The flight departed RYY with
the pilot receiving instruction flying the airplane at 1430, and
climbed to a cruising altitude of 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl).
They arrived at Dalton Municipal Airport (DNN), Dalton Georgia, at
1455 and conducted 8 touch and go landings. The flight departed DNN
at 1530 and climbed to a cruising altitude of 3,500 feet msl
en-route to 9A5 arriving at 1550. They made a full stop landing and
taxied back to the active runway and completed an engine run up
before departing at 1615 en-route to RYY. The CFI stated prior to
departing the fuel gage indicated the left and right main fuel
tanks contained 14 gallons of fuel.
SR22--File Photo
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 made a positive transfer of the flight
controls 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 has been relocated to a salvage company pending
further examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector,
and the engine manufacturer.