Accident Overview
On September 14, 2019, about 1620 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR20 airplane, registration N200Z, was substantially damaged during an accident near Orange, Texas. The pilot and a passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
While in cruise flight, the engine experienced a total loss of power. Due to a lack of suitable areas for a forced landing, the pilot deployed the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The airplane descended under canopy and came to rest in a cypress marsh. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During recovery, fuel staining was observed on the engine cowling and engine.
Engine Examination
Examination of the engine revealed that the fuel line from the fuel manifold to the No. 1 cylinder was fractured near the manifold. The fracture surface showed evidence consistent with fatigue failure, and no material anomalies of the line were found. The broken fuel line was replaced, and a subsequent test run of the engine revealed no anomalies. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated about 1,700 hours, with about 35 hours since its most recent inspection.
Maintenance History
A review of the maintenance logbooks found that the fuel manifold bracket was replaced in February 2017 and again in May 2018. The reason for the bracket replacements and whether the issue was related to the fatigue failure of the fuel line was not determined.