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 is urging the FAA and Cirrus Aircraft to identify and mitigate excessive fuel flow rates in the Cirrus SR22T during takeoff and climb, linked to six accidents, recommending a functional hazard assessment and mandatory Airworthiness Directive (AD).
While some causes for the SR22T's excessive fuel flow, like incorrect electric fuel pump selection, have been identified, the NTSB emphasizes that all potential causes need to be determined to fully address the hazard.
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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.”