Cirrus SR22 accident near Atlantic Ocean, AO, March 5, 2019
On March 5, 2019 at about 3:15 pm local time, a 2003 Cirrus SR22, registered N345DM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Atlantic Ocean, AO. 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
A loss of oil pressure and subsequent total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 5, 2019 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Atlantic Ocean, AO · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus SR22, built 2003 · all SR22s on the register
- Registration
- N345DM · registry record · serial 0761
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the yellow low oil engine pressure light illuminated about 2 hours into the flight while the airplane was at 8,000 ft mean sea level. The analog oil pressure gauge confirmed the low oil pressure reading of 25 psi. The oil pressure continued to drop, and the pilot notified air traffic control of the situation. As the oil pressure dropped to 2 psi, the engine vibrated strongly and the propeller stopped. The pilot established best glide speed and deployed the airplane parachute system about 1,500 ft above the water. The airplane landed in the water in an upright position. The life raft was inflated, and the pilots egressed from the airplane and were subsequently rescued by a passing cruise ship about 2 hours later. The airplane was not recovered from the ocean, which precluded a postaccident examination.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Ditching during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 2,300 in this make and model; 75 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 31, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,657 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 30, 2018; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-550-N27 (piston); 2,657 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TISX St Croix at 1:15 pm
- Destination: MBPV Providenciales AO
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 3:00 pm from MBJT, 20 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
4 documents, released by the NTSB on January 3, 2020. 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 | Excerpts - FAA ATC Aircraft Accident Package | PDF, 15 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Aircraft Maintenance Records | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 15 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.