January 22, 2013, Danbury, Conn., Cirrus Design Corp. SR20

At about 1925 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged after its airframe parachute was deployed while on approach. The flight instructor, a private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was on approach when it experienced a total loss of engine power and the pilot reported that the airplane was “out of fuel” to ATC. The pilot elected to deploy the CAPS and the airplane subsequently descended via parachute into trees, about three miles northeast of the airport.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An airplane sustained substantial damage when its airframe parachute was deployed during approach, following a total loss of engine power.
The pilot reported being "out of fuel" to ATC, a claim supported by an initial examination finding no visible fuel in the tanks, with only 26 oz drained.
Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft after descending into trees, the flight instructor, private pilot, and a passenger were uninjured.

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The airplane was on approach when it experienced a total loss of engine power and the pilot reported that the airplane was “out of fuel” to ATC. The pilot elected to deploy the CAPS and the airplane subsequently descended via parachute into trees, about three miles northeast of the airport. The airplane’s empennage separated and the fuselage sustained substantial damage.