Cirrus Design CORP SR22 accident near Whitethorn, California, March 8, 2024
On March 8, 2024 at about 9:25 pm local time, a 2004 Cirrus Design CORP SR22, registered N2824M, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Whitethorn, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 8, 2024 · about 9:25 pm local time
- Place
- Whitethorn, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus Design CORP SR22, built 2004
- Registration
- N2824M · registry record · serial 1144
- 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 he had not flown the airplane frequently in the months leading up to the accident. On the day of the accident flight, he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane, including a visual inspection of the fuel level, and determined there was sufficient fuel on board for the flight. However, he did not recall if a fuel sample was taken. During the initial climb, the engine initially sputtered and then lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but without success; he deployed the airplane’s emergency parachute. The airplane impacted trees and subsequently came to rest on the ground inverted. Aircraft recovery personnel reported that fuel was leaking from the airplane, and they recovered about 26 gallons of fuel from the left wing. No fuel was recovered from the right wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The fuel manifold assembly was removed and disassembled, and a liquid substance was noted. The liquid substance was tested for water using SAR-GEL, a water-finding paste; it tested positive for water. It is likely the total loss of engine power was a result of water in the airplane’s fuel system. It could not be determined how or when the water entered the airplane’s fuel system.
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
- Fuel contamination during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 700 hours in all; 540 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 700 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 1, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,453.9 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 15, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-550-N (piston); 1,453 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0Q5 Shelter Cove CA at 9:15 pm
- Destination: KSTS Santa Rosa WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 12:56 pm from KUKI, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KUKI 082056Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 17/04 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP204 T01720044 58022
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on July 16, 2025. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of E-mail Correspondence (Pilot) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Airframe and Engine Examination | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Cockpit Display - Recorded Flight Data - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Cockpit Display - Recorded Flight Data - Specialist's Factual Report - ATTACHMENT1 - PFD Tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 6 | Cockpit Display - Recorded Flight Data - Specialist's Factual Report - ATTACHMENT2 - MFD Tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 7 | Cockpit Display - Recorded Flight Data - Specialist's Factual Report - ATTACHMENT3 - ADS-B Tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Evidence Control Form | 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.
Other NTSB records under N2824M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.