What happened
On December 18, 2025, at approximately 12:55 CST, a Cirrus SR22T, registration N53KH, was involved in an accident during a takeoff roll at Muleshoe Municipal Airport (2T1) in Muleshoe, Texas. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91.
During the takeoff roll, once the aircraft reached a speed of approximately 50 to 55 knots, it began to veer toward the left. The pilot reported feeling a slight vibration originating from the landing gear. In an attempt to correct the deviation, the pilot applied full right rudder, but the aircraft continued to drift left.
Seeking to abort the takeoff, the pilot reduced the throttle, but the leftward pull increased. The pilot then applied full right brake and partial left brake in an attempt to stop the aircraft. During the excursion, the left wheel traveled over a drainage pipe, which caused the left landing gear to collapse and separate from the fuselage. The aircraft eventually came to rest on an embankment. There were no injuries to the pilot.
Post-accident inspection showed that the left wing fuel tank had been breached, resulting in fuel leaking onto the ground. Weather conditions at the time were VMC with a visibility of 10 statute miles. Winds reported at Clovis, New Mexico, were 060 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 18 knots.