What happened
On August 16, 2020, at approximately 1320 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22, registration N949CG, was involved in a fatal accident near Osage Beach, Missouri. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
During the pre-flight phase, a witness observed the pilot flood the engine, noting fuel draining from the engine cowling and down the nosewheel. After three failed attempts, the engine started on the fourth attempt. Following the start, a large puff of smoke emerged from the engine compartment, though no smoke was visible while the aircraft taxied.
During takeoff, witnesses and surveillance footage confirmed the aircraft was trailing black smoke. Shortly after departing, the pilot transmitted via the airport's common traffic advisory frequency that he was returning to the airport. Witnesses observed the aircraft enter a left turn approximately 100 feet above the trees before it descended steeply into the ground. GPS data indicated the aircraft reached a peak altitude of roughly 200 feet above ground level, rolled left from 30 to 50 degrees, then rolled rapidly to the right, became inverted, and impacted the terrain.
The crash resulted in 2 fatal injuries.
The investigation
The wreckage was located in a heavily wooded area approximately 0.3 miles from the departure end of the runway. Much of the aircraft was destroyed by fire. While a post-accident examination of the engine and airframe found no pre-impact anomalies, the intense fire damage prevented investigators from identifying a specific source of in-flight overheating or fire.
Toxicology results for the pilot were negative for all tested substances, and no evidence of smoke inhalation was found during the autopsy.