Accident Overview
On October 27, 2024, at about 1712 mountain standard time, a Cirrus SR20, registration N27WF, sustained substantial damage in an accident near St. George, Utah. The flight instructor, student pilot, and passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
Flight Details
According to the flight instructor, the purpose was to drop off a passenger in Provo, Utah, while providing familiarization experience for the owner/student. During the pre-takeoff run-up, the left magneto exhibited a rough 150 rpm drop. Suspecting spark plug fouling, the instructor leaned the mixture for several minutes, after which a repeat magneto check showed normal operation. The airplane then departed from runway 19, with sluggish acceleration attributed to added weight.
Power Deficiency Encountered
After climbing to about 200 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane failed to accelerate despite a normal-sounding engine. The instructor cycled the throttle, adjusted the mixture, and confirmed flaps at 50%, but the airplane did not accelerate. Engine rpm was 2500 and airspeed around 70 knots, but it could not climb. Facing rising terrain, the instructor banked left toward the airport. Realizing the airplane would not reach the runway, he maintained a controlled descent to avoid stalling.
Forced Landing and Post-Crash Fire
The instructor flared aggressively over soft desert terrain to reduce ground speed. The left wing dropped low, resulting in a hard landing that sheared off the landing gear. The airplane skidded and spun 180-270° before coming to rest upright. All three occupants egressed, and the airplane became engulfed in flames shortly thereafter.
Data and Examination
Data from the aircraft's recording system, reviewed by Cirrus, showed that after departure the airplane climbed gradually for about three minutes to a maximum altitude of 2,950 ft. It then began a gradual left turn, and for approximately 40 seconds, engine rpm, cylinder head temperatures, and exhaust gas temperatures showed little change. The airplane crashed several seconds later with no recorded data consistent with a catastrophic malfunction. The wreckage was recovered to a secured facility for future examination.