There Was A Brief “Stutter” Of The Engine, And The Engine Began To Run Rough

Location: Lincoln, NE Accident Number: CEN22LA117
Date & Time: February 10, 2022, 20:06 Local Registration: N317KJ
Aircraft: Cirrus Design Corp SR22T Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On February 10, 2022, at 2006 central standard time, a Cirrus SR22T, N317KJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lincoln,  Nebraska. The pilot and a passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot stated that the flight was uneventful, and the airplane was operating [normally] with all gauges indicating proper operating limits. At 10,000 ft mean sea level (msl) and about 60 nautical miles east of Lincoln Airport, Lincoln, Nebraska, there was a brief “stutter” of the engine, and the engine began to run rough. He contacted Omaha approach control and told them the engine was running rough and would like to divert to Plattsmouth Municipal Airport/Douglas V Duey Field (PMV), Plattsmouth, Nebraska (PMV was located about 39 nm and 080o from LNK).

The pilot said he a received clearance to fly direct to PMV and to descend and maintain 4,000 ft msl. About 40 nm miles from LNK and 8,000 ft msl, the pilot said he told Omaha approach control that the engine smoothed out, and he would like to continue the flight to LNK at 6,000 ft. msl. The pilot said as the flight continued to LNK, the engine’s number 3-cylinder head temperature indicated 0o Fahrenheit. About 15 nm east of LNK, the engine began to run rough again, and the pilot asked Omaha approach control if he could begin a slow descent toward LNK. He was cleared to descend and maintain 3,000 ft msl. About 12 nm from LNK, he was issued a clearance for a visual approach to runway 17 and subsequently a clearance to land. As he continued the descent to 2,500 ft msl, the engine began to run rough, the oil pressure rapidly decreased, and the airplane’s indicated airspeed decreased. About 6 nm from LNK, he told LNK air traffic control that he would be unable to attain the runway and was going to look for a field to land on. He located a field and deployed the airframe parachute. The airplane touched down in the field and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov