Decoded Aviation
Accidents›United States›CA›Cirrus SR22 (N2824M)

Cirrus SR22 (N2824M)

Engine failure and parachute deployment near Whitethorn, California March 8, 2024, 13:25 PST · densely wooded terrain near Whitethorn, CA
Accident
Survived — CAPS deployed
0 fatal / 3 aboard
2 minor injuries, 1 uninjured
Investigation status
Final report published
NTSB · Released July 16, 2025

Case summary

A Cirrus SR22 lost total engine power during the initial climb out of Shelter Cove Airport, California, after water-contaminated fuel reached the engine. Unable to restore power despite switching tanks and working the boost pump and mixture, the pilot deployed the airplane's Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The airplane descended into densely tree-covered terrain, hung briefly in the branches, then fell to the ground inverted — substantially damaging the airframe but leaving all three occupants alive, with only two minor injuries. The NTSB could not determine how or when the water entered the fuel system.

A Cirrus SR22 in flight — a different airframe than the accident aircraft, N2824M
Cirrus SR22
Single-engine piston, factory-equipped with CAPS whole-airframe parachute
Key facts
Aircraft
Cirrus SR22
Registration
N2824M
Location
Whitethorn, CaliforniaRemote, densely tree-covered terrain near the Lost Coast
Route
Shelter Cove Airport (0Q5) → Santa Rosa, CA (KSTS)Personal flight, VFR (Part 91)
Phase of flight
Initial climbTotal power loss at ~2,600 ft msl, about a minute after departure
Operation
Personal (Part 91)
Occupants
3
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Minor injuries
2
Damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC, clear, 10 mi visibilityWinds calm; 17°C/4°C temperature/dew point (KUKI, 12 nm away)

What happened

Source: NTSB Final Report (excerpt)

As the airplane was climbing through 2,600 ft mean sea level (msl), the engine sputtered and lost total power. The pilot stated that he switched fuel tanks, activated the electric boost pump, and manipulated the mixture and throttle controls to restore engine power. Unable to restore engine power, he deployed the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The airplane descended under parachute canopy into densely tree-covered terrain and became suspended amongst the tree limbs. Subsequently, the airplane fell from the trees and impacted the ground inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage.

Why it happened

Source: NTSB Final Report
NTSB probable causeNTSB

"A total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel."

Contributing factors
  • Water-contaminated fuel reaching the engine's fuel injection system
  • Total loss of engine power consistent with fuel contamination, not a mechanical failure (no preaccident airframe or engine defects found)
  • Pilot could not recall whether a fuel sample was taken during the preflight inspection
  • NTSB could not determine how or when water entered the fuel system
Safety takeaways
Sump every fuel tank and the gascolator before every flight — a visual check of fuel quantity through the filler cap will not catch water sitting at the bottom of the tank.
Let fuel settle after refueling or overnight parking before sampling; water is denser than avgas and needs a few minutes to migrate to the sump drain.
Be especially deliberate about sumping after rain, big temperature swings, or any time the airplane's fuel history or cap seals are unknown to you.
Know your aircraft's emergency systems cold before you need them — this pilot's quick decision to deploy CAPS after a failed restart attempt, rather than stretching a dead-stick approach into trees, is very likely why all three aboard survived with only minor injuries.
Rehearse the specific altitude/time gates for your aircraft's emergency checklist (restart attempts vs. parachute deployment) so the decision is already made before an actual power loss leaves little time to think.

Photos & media (3)

NTSB Airframe and Engine Examination, WPR24LA106
The recovered Cirrus SR22 airframe at the examination yard, showing the open doors and overall accident damage
Recovered airframeN2824M · NTSB · Open PDF
Close-up of the Cirrus SR22's damaged tail section and empennage after the tree-suspended descent and ground impact
Empennage damageN2824M · NTSB · Open PDF
The disassembled fuel flow manifold assembly examined by investigators, which tested positive for water with SAR-GEL paste
Fuel flow manifoldN2824M · NTSB · Open PDF
Aircraft
Cirrus SR22
Registration
N2824M
Location
Whitethorn, CaliforniaRemote, densely tree-covered terrain near the Lost Coast
Route
Shelter Cove Airport (0Q5) → Santa Rosa, CA (KSTS)Personal flight, VFR (Part 91)
Phase of flight
Initial climbTotal power loss at ~2,600 ft msl, about a minute after departure
Operation
Personal (Part 91)
Occupants
3
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Minor injuries
2
Damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC, clear, 10 mi visibilityWinds calm; 17°C/4°C temperature/dew point (KUKI, 12 nm away)
Sump every fuel tank and the gascolator before every flight — a visual check of fuel quantity through the filler cap will not catch water sitting at the bottom of the tank.
Let fuel settle after refueling or overnight parking before sampling; water is denser than avgas and needs a few minutes to migrate to the sump drain.
Be especially deliberate about sumping after rain, big temperature swings, or any time the airplane's fuel history or cap seals are unknown to you.
Know your aircraft's emergency systems cold before you need them — this pilot's quick decision to deploy CAPS after a failed restart attempt, rather than stretching a dead-stick approach into trees, is very likely why all three aboard survived with only minor injuries.
Rehearse the specific altitude/time gates for your aircraft's emergency checklist (restart attempts vs. parachute deployment) so the decision is already made before an actual power loss leaves little time to think.
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