Cirrus SR22 N579CP accident near Sand Creek, Wisconsin

Probable cause

The mechanic's failure to properly secure the air reference line, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during a ferry flight, while climbing the airplane to cruise altitude, the engine temperatures increased quickly and that the engine then surged. The pilot added that he "switched" the boost pump, adjusted the mixture lever, and then deployed the ballistic parachute system at 3,500 ft mean sea level. During the off-airport landing in a field, the airplane impacted an irrigation sprinkler system.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that two air lines were disconnected and that there were no torque lines on the lines. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot and a mechanic who had conducted the airplane's last maintenance reported that the airplane had been flown 7 hours since the last maintenance. The mechanic had replaced three cylinders during the maintenance, which required removal of the air lines. It is likely that, during the maintenance, the mechanic did not properly secure the air reference line, which led to a loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA074 for the full record.