Cirrus Design Corp SR22 N422MR accident near Nacogdoches, Texas

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The airplane was in cruise flight when the airplane’s propeller began to surge and the engine power dropped to near idle. The pilot adjusted the throttle, selected another fuel tank, and activated the electric fuel boost pump, to no avail. The pilot saw an airport nearby, so he cancelled his instrument flight rules flight plan and set up the airplane’s best glide to that airport. During the glide, the pilot tried unsuccessfully to restart the engine. About 1,000 feet above ground level, the pilot realized that he was not going to reach the airport and activated the airplane’s ballistic parachute. Seconds later, the airplane impacted trees before coming to rest inverted on the ground. The pilot reported that he smelled fuel when he exited the airplane. Postaccident testing of the airplane‘s engine did not reveal any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA112 for the full record.