Pilot flying SR-22 Turbo aircraft reported a cracked engine cylinder following low oil pressure indication inflight.

Date: 2022-06 · Aircraft: SR22 · Phase: cruise

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-clearance|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

Pilot flying SR-22 Turbo aircraft reported a cracked engine cylinder following low oil pressure indication inflight.

Narrative

I was direct ZZZ and had just climbed to 12;000 ft.; expecting to climb to flight level 18.0 soon; when I noticed the engine oil pressure was low. I kept an eye on it to make sure it wasn't a faulty indication and immediately told ATC I needed to change my destination to ZZZ1. I was searching for alternate airports and saw ZZZ2 was very close. I got a visual alert for low oil pressure and asked ATC how long the runway at ZZZ2 was. When I heard it was about 4500 ft.; I told them I was going there. I could easily see the field (part astro turf and part dirt/sand). Since I was at 12;000 ft. and easily within glide range; I pulled the throttle back to idle to prevent further engine problems and began my descent to the field. I checked for traffic at ZZZ2 and made a quick radio call on the CTAF. I had a lot of altitude to lose; so I circled and entered a left downwind for [Runway] XX. There was a south wind at ZZZ1 and I preferred landing on the grass on the north end of the field. The landing was good and we exited the plane. I called an A&P in ZZZ1 who came out to ZZZ2 for us. When we removed the cowling a crack in the 3rd cylinder was visible and oil was dripping down onto the turbo and the exhaust. I am still in the process of having it repaired.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.