Cirrus Design Corp SR22T N272HM accident near Lake Elsinore, California

Probable cause

The pilot’s intentional deployment of the airframe parachute system due to task-saturation in instrument meteorological conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the airplane reported that during a cross-country flight, on an instrument flight rules flight plan, the controller issued several heading changes and a clearance to climb to 7,000 ft mean sea level, which placed the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions. While en route, the controller issued additional instructions to join an airway; however, the pilot anticipated joining a different airway and queried the controller. The controller responded that the airway the pilot should have joined was now behind their position. The pilot became confused and realized he had misunderstood instructions earlier in the flight but continued to fly his anticipated route instead of the corrected clearance. The controller advised the pilot to turn immediately due to terrain. The pilot disconnected the autopilot and manually turned the airplane in accordance with the controller’s instructions. During the turn, the airplane pitched nose-down and the pilot had difficulty controlling the pitch. The pilot elected to deploy the airframe parachute system due to his concerns about the terrain, difficulty controlling the airplane, and the perceived urgency in the voice of the controller. The parachute successfully deployed and the airplane descended under the parachute, until it came to rest upright on rocky, sloped terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA071 for the full record.