Accident Summary
On February 29, 2016, at approximately 1325 mountain standard time, a Cirrus SR22 (registration N2711M) descended under its Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) and struck terrain near Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico. The private pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal cross-country trip in visual meteorological conditions. The aircraft departed Seward Municipal Airport, Nebraska, about 0820 MST, with a planned stop at Las Vegas Municipal Airport, New Mexico, before continuing to Phoenix Goodyear Airport, Arizona.
Flight History and Refueling
The pilot reported landing at Las Vegas Municipal with approximately 12 gallons of fuel remaining. Limited services were available; only self-serve fuel pumps were present. A passenger assisted with refueling, and the pilot intended to add about 50 gallons—25 per tank. The passenger read the meter, noting difficulty due to sun glare, and called out as the meter neared 25 gallons. The pilot then moved to the other tank, and the passenger called "stop" at 52 gallons. Another passenger also confirmed the reading. However, a credit card receipt obtained later from the fixed‑based operator showed that only 5.23 gallons had been purchased.
Engine Failure and Parachute Deployment
After departure from Las Vegas, the pilot performed normal takeoff checks. Approximately one hour into the next leg, while cruising at 13,000 feet, the engine began losing power slowly. The pilot notified air traffic control, and shortly thereafter the engine stopped completely. The pilot searched for a plateau area and deployed the CAPS. The airplane descended and landed near trees, but wind caught the parachute and dragged the airplane into the trees, flipping it inverted.
Post‑Accident Examination
The FAA inspector on scene found the airplane inverted, with the fuselage buckled but only minor wing damage. Only the lower engine portion was accessible; a visual inspection revealed no obvious discrepancies. Radar data from FlightAware indicated that the airplane had been above 12,500 feet for about 44 minutes before the descent due to power loss. According to the airplane manufacturer’s representative, the aircraft was not equipped with a factory‑installed oxygen system. The Pilot Operating Handbook specifies a fuel quantity indicator on the console and a FUEL caution light when either tank drops below 14 gallons. The Before Takeoff checklist advises confirming fuel quantity and selecting the fullest tank. Title 14 CFR 91.211 requires supplemental oxygen for the flight crew when operating above 12,500 feet for more than 30 minutes.