Cirrus Design CORP SR22 accident near Aguila, Arizona, June 19, 2018
On June 19, 2018 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 2008 Cirrus Design CORP SR22, registered N764CT, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Aguila, Arizona. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to pre-ignition/detonation for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2018 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Aguila, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus Design CORP SR22 UNDESIGNAT, built 2008
- Registration
- N764CT · no longer on the register · serial 2908
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a cross-country flight, the pilot observed a significant increase in the engine oil pressure followed by a sudden drop. He prepared for an emergency landing during which the engine speed increased and the engine lost power. The cabin then filled with smoke and oil covered the windshield. The pilot was able to activate the airplane’s parachute and the airplane landed about 5 seconds later in a ravine. The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed evidence of a pre-ignition/detonation event that partially eroded the Nos. 2 and 5 pistons. The eroded pistons permitted the pressurization of the crankcase, which resulted in oil starvation of the engine. Due to the severe fire damage, the cause of the preignition/detonation could not be determined.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Malfunction
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 0 hours in all; 500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 1, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,953.4 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 8, 2018; 20 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-550-N50B (piston); 1,975 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SDL Scottsdale AZ at 5:30 pm
- Destination: HII Lake Havasu City AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 am from PRC, 52 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
11 documents, released by the NTSB on September 1, 2022. 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 | Recoverable Data Module - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Moeller) | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Exam Report | PDF, 30 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Exam at Factory | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Amsafe Report | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 7 | NTSB Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Cmi | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation-cirrus | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Amsafe | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | 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.