NTSB to Cirrus: Address Fuel Boost Pump Issues with SR22T

Cirrus, SR22T, fuel pump, boost pump, Functional Hazard Assessment, fuel flow, service advisory, NTSB, FAA

Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 02:43 PM ET

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According to the Cirrus pilot’s operating handbook for the SR22T, the electric fuel boost pump has two activation settings. [Courtesy: Cirrus Aircraft]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB investigated six Cirrus SR22T takeoff accidents (2017-2019) where engine power was lost due to excessive fuel flow, resulting in three deaths and nine injuries.
A primary cause identified was pilots incorrectly selecting the "High Boost/Prime" fuel pump mode (delivering 42 gph) during takeoff instead of the intended "Boost" mode (19 gph).
Cirrus responded by issuing service advisories clarifying proper fuel pump use and implementing software designed to lock out the "High Boost/Prime" function below 10,000 feet, although this feature had reported operational issues.
The NTSB recommends that Cirrus conduct a Functional Hazard Assessment (FHA) to fully identify risks and implement design modifications or procedural changes, and that the FAA ensure these mitigations are enacted.

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After investigating six takeoff accidents involving uncommanded loss of engine power in Cirrus SR22T, the National Transportation Safety Board is recommending the aircraft manufacturer conduct a Functional Hazard Assessment (FHA) to address the issue and mitigate the risk.

According to a report issued on April 12 by the NTSB, the six accidents were the result of excessive fuel flow in the SR22T, which caused engine failure during climb out. The accidents, which happened between 2017 and 2019, resulted in three deaths and nine persons injured.