NTSB Targets SR22T Excessive Fuel Flow

Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 11:48 AM ET

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The NTSB attributes six SR22T accidents over the last four years to excessive fuel flow, which led to engine power loss on initial climb. Although Cirrus has acted to address the problem, the NTSB isn’t convinced all potential causes have been identified.

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB has issued recommendations urging Cirrus Aircraft and the FAA to identify the full cause and reduce the hazard of excessive fuel flow rates in the SR22T, citing six accidents and insufficient previous mitigating actions.
The AOPA Air Safety Institute has launched a new campaign, "VFR into IMC: Avoidance and Escape," to address one of the top causes of fatal general aviation accidents.
The FAA has withdrawn a proposed Airworthiness Directive for Grumman piston singles, determining that existing maintenance procedures are sufficient and an unsafe condition requiring expanded structural inspections was not present.

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In formal recommendations to the FAA and Cirrus Aircraft, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is urging action to “identify the cause and reduce the potential hazard” of accidents occurring from excessive fuel flow rates aboard the Cirrus SR22T. The NTSB has identified six accidents in which excessive fuel flow during initial climb—ranging from 42.2 to 50.1 gph—was identified as at least a contributing factor.

The underlying cause for the excessive fuel-flow condition was established in only three of the six accident investigations. Two of the associated accidents involve “incorrect” selection of the electric fuel pump’s HIGH BOOST/PRIME position while the third was traced to “an improperly adjusted slope controller,” according to the NTSB. Nevertheless, the safety board believes “that all the potential causes for these failures need to be identified to fully address this hazard.”