Cirrus SR22 accident near Kennesaw, Georgia, November 29, 2018
On November 29, 2018 at about 11:55 pm local time, a 2008 Cirrus SR22, registered N597CP, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Kennesaw, Georgia (Cobb County Intl-Mccollum Fiel airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to the interruption of oil circulation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 29, 2018 · about 11:55 pm local time
- Place
- Kennesaw, Georgia · Cobb County Intl-Mccollum Fiel · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus SR22 NO SERIES, built 2008 · all SR22s on the register
- Registration
- N597CP · no longer on the register · serial 3359
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the descent from 17,500 ft mean sea level (msl), as the airplane was passing through about 7,500 ft msl, the pilot felt a jolt from the engine and subsequently received a low oil pressure alert. The pilot diverted to a closer airport and continued the descent. When the airplane was about 2,000 ft msl, the pilot felt additional jolts and observed sparks emanating from the engine cowling area. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost total power. With no clear landing area available in nighttime conditions over an urban area, he activated the whole-airframe parachute system, and the airplane impacted trees and terrain with the parachute deployed. The fuselage, wings, and empennage sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine crankcase revealed a fracture hole at the No. 6 cylinder, and the connecting rod had sheared from the upper crankshaft bearing. Disassembly of the engine and its components revealed that the left turbocharger had seized; rub marks were observed inside the turbine housing; metal contaminants were found inside the oil filter; and the oil sump contained damaged connecting rod ends, valve lifters, and engine bearings. The damage is consistent with an oil circulation interruption and catastrophic engine failure. The source of the interruption of oil circulation to the engine could not be determined after engine disassembly.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during enroute (descent)
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Miscellaneous/other during approach (VFR pattern base)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern base)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Eng oil sys (airframe furnish) › (general) › Malfunction
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 898.5 hours in all; 898.5 in this make and model; 47 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 763 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 26, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,969.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 4, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-550-N (piston); 1,668 hours total
- Operator: Cavern Aviation LLC.
The flight
- Departed from: OJC Olathe KS at 9:10 pm
- Destination: PDK Atlanta GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 27, 6,295 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 050° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 11:48 pm from KRYY, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
12 documents, released by the NTSB on December 13, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Examination Report W/photos | PDF, 46 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Turbochargers Examination Report | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Record Excerpts | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | US Naval Observatory Data Night Time | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Multiple Electronic Devices Factual Report | PDF, 15 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Multiple Electronic Devices Factual Report - Attachment 1 Tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 11 | Cirrus Service Bulletin | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.