Cirrus SR20 Makes Emergency Landing on Florida Interstate Highway

According to the manufacturer, this type of failure was uncommon in this engine series.

Plane & Pilot

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 10:23 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot successfully executed an emergency landing on an interstate highway at night following a total loss of engine power, resulting in no injuries to the two occupants and no damage to the aircraft.
The engine failure was attributed to a crankshaft gear tooth breaking due to fatigue, which subsequently caused further gear damage and a complete loss of power.
This type of fatigue failure was considered uncommon for the engine series and occurred well before the recommended time between overhauls.

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Jacksonville, Florida / Injuries: 2

The pilot landed the airplane on an interstate highway at night after a total loss of engine power. Neither of the two occupants were injured and the airplane was undamaged. Examination of the engine revealed that a crankshaft gear tooth failed due to fatigue, which resulted in the loss of several additional gear teeth and a subsequent total loss of engine power. According to the manufacturer, this type of failure was uncommon in this engine series. The engine had accrued 1,652.3 hours since rebuild and the recommended time between overhaul was 2,000 hours.

PROBABLE CAUSE(S): The failure of a crankshaft gear tooth due to fatigue, which resulted in the loss of several additional gear teeth and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

Note: The report republished here is from the NTSB and is printed verbatim and in its complete form.