My First Emergency Flight! Turbo Failure at 15,000 FT - Cirrus SR22T

Join me on a return flight from Klamath Falls (KLMT) to Van Nuys (KVNY) that took an unexpected turn. While flying my Cirrus SR22T (N22AB), I experienced a sudden engine power loss at 15,000 feet. Watch as I manage the emergency and safely land back at KLMT. Special thanks to Seattle Center and KLMT Tower for their assistance, as well as the emergency crews who responded. Subscribe for more real-life flight experiences and lessons learned!
‪@pilot-debrief‬
‪@blancolirio‬
‪@MentourPilot‬
‪@AirSafetyInstitute‬

[@RusscanFLY]

You handled this situation perfectly. The startle response in my opinion wasn’t that bad at all. You seem to be right on top of the situation and your navigation and aviation skills were definitely well done. Thank you so much for sharing this experience.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you very much for your kind words

[@AirSafetyInstitute]

Glad everything turned out okay! Nice job handling a stressful situation.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you very much. The Accident Case study Videos are the gold standard in analyzing unfortunate aircraft accidents.

[@jimjernigan3670]

Great decision to declare immediately. Too many times people don’t declare if they still have partial power. I also like how you were climbing to cruise over the airport. Gives you the best option for when something goes wrong.

[@interceptflight]

Agreed. Thank you

[@numanahmad9211]

Glad You Made It To The Runway Very Professionally, Handled Like a Pro..😍

[@interceptflight]

Thank you!

[@jimgandee2570]

Good job! I agree with your assessment that circling directly over the airport would have given you more options. I didn’t notice but after the sudden loss of MP leaning the engine may have helped. You, your pax and the plane are A-OKAY and that’s what counts! 👍

[@interceptflight]

Very true, thank you :)

[@RaceMentally]

Declaring good job. Most don’t. Of course you learned and everyone watching this. Thank you for the video. We all appreciate it.

[@interceptflight]

I appreciate that!

[@exoticflorida2360]

It is fortunate you had partial power. Sounded like you were giving it a bit of power on and off during final approach. Definitely wait on the flaps. Best to turn direct as soon as you’re stabilized in glide, make descent over approach end of intended runway. Come in high, slip and add flaps if needed once you know you’ve made the runway. Best to have options (altitude) and not count on having partial power for the rest of the way down. All in all very good job and great outcome!!! Great learning experience for everyone and thank you for sharing.

[@interceptflight]

That is very true, I did use power a couple of times indeed, that is why i think circling over the airport would have been better. Thank you for your valuable comments :)

[@EricHaskins71]

Great video .... thx for sharing!

[@interceptflight]

Thanks you Eric!

[@EricHaskins71]

@@interceptflight I Fly out of 3S4, KMFR & 3S8 Been to Klamath a time or two

[@interceptflight]

@@EricHaskins71 If you are ever in Socal hit me up, am also planning a flight to you area to visit Crater Lake in the summer, we go flying together.

[@myvideo2228]

Any landing is a good one. Great job.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you

[@MiguelAlejandro1969]

Excellent work. The integrated maps and aircraft location help greatly in creating situational awareness of where to go and creating a safe return to the nearest airport. Without a doubt, this integrated technology helps a lot.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you

[@Paul355c]

Really great. Thanks for sharing. I have about 800 hours and also fly a SR22T so this was so relevant to me. I watched multiple time. Well done!

[@interceptflight]

Thank you very much, safe flying.

[@baejiaoflying9434]

Well done. Obviously a highly stressful situation.

[@interceptflight]

Yes indeed. Thank you.

[@ahmadsamadzai8255]

At the end of the day, you and your passenger are safe, so you did well. i don't know if it got edited out, but I didn't catch you trouble shooting the issue in the air. Not that you could have fixed the duct in the air, but I was still waiting for you to go through the emergency checklist. I'm very happy it all turned out well. Next time spiral over the field and keep the runway close.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you. I did glance at the checklist quickly and couldn't find one with partial power loss. It was edited out. However, it was very quick. It was getting in the eay of flying. Im hindsight, i could have engaged the A/P to pitch for best glide and be more thorough with the checklist.

[@FelixReiff]

Those hands shaking are too real, I was relieved too when you made the runway. Glad you´re okay and hats off to how you handled that!

[@interceptflight]

Indeed, thank you so much.

[@awwaldo]

Once again, PROOF that the big fan on the front is for keeping the pilot cool! Great job! I think you did everything perfectly. Yeah, sure, "hind sight is 20/20" but you did a fantastic job. The extra time you gave yourself by circling the airport instead of doing a heavy slip to get it on the ground now, gave you more time to think and "get used to" your situation. Your poor wife looked like she was suffering a migraine headache after all of that. Who could blame her! A landing that you can walk away from is a good landing. A landing that doesn't bend the aircraft is a great landing.

[@interceptflight]

Very well said. Thank you very much for your kind words.

[@Snell2K]

Glad you were able to land safely and solid aeronautical decision-making

[@interceptflight]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@blave549]

I have about 25 hours in an SR20, from many years ago. So... You did a GREAT JOB. Nice work.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you very much.

[@wrphelan]

Fantastic job!!

[@interceptflight]

Thank you

[@pilotalex5677]

Situation handled perfectly and FAA staff and controllers did very well. Luckily your altitude gave you time to process and methodically go thru each phase which led in a controlled emergency landing. Indeed circling over the airport and stay within 2 PA would have been more secured giving you less stress. Thank you for sharing. I'm always waiting for the day it will happen and how I will handle the situation. Practice and real situation are obviously different. Well done, you're safe and the plane is intact which means you did just fine. I hope the lady won't have a bad memory from that flight . 👍✈️

[@interceptflight]

Thank you so much. It was indeed a learning experience. She was ok except for some nose bleeding after the landing because of the high decent rate but we flew afterwards. Stay safe and proficient.

[@dsinha99]

So glad you folks made it okay. What a scary situation to be in! Great job being so professional, calm, and in control. I'm sure your wife really appreciated that.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you so much :)

[@scottnelson8153]

Thank you for sharing this. Good Learning

[@interceptflight]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mike-01234]

Glad you chosed to land at the nearest runway seen way to many who have a problem want to get back to their home airport end up much worse off situation.

[@interceptflight]

True. Thank you

[@cdmactube]

Congrats on handling the emergency with a calm attitude and having a great landing. My previous plane was an SR22T so I am familiar with it and the engine failure procedures. Others have mentioned that it would have been better to circle above the airport. What I would suggest is to practice the engine failure situation/recovery with a flight instructor. If the situation allows for a glide back to an airport, there are specific circling methods with specific heights and speeds to aim for above the airport and on downwind next to the numbers to help guide you to the landing.

[@interceptflight]

Yes totally agreed. Thank you for this valuable advice.

[@5Ring]

16:47 that exhale says it all. Glad you made it down in one piece!

[@interceptflight]

100% :), thank you!

[@mikemoore5173]

Being an ex Volunteer Firefighter seeing the boys ready to help made me feel great!!! Glad you made it to the ground safely!! I fly in my buddies planes. I will be in an Sr22 in several weeks with my buddy. Great job!!

[@interceptflight]

Thank you for your service, they are great indeed. They came to me after I parked the plane to say "We are happy you made it".

[@kiloechoflying9926]

Good Job! You did great!

[@interceptflight]

Thank you for your kind words :)

[@brianbohannon8044]

Great job! I agree doing a circuit right over the airport would have been preferred. I was slightly frustrated for you with the 3 or 4 times you had to call back to repeat yourself.

[@interceptflight]

Agreed, thank you!

[@taytayflyfly7291]

The times he had to repeat himself, ATC was almost 100% talking to emergency vehicles, getting them staged, and discussing the nature of the emergency and probably what to expect.

[@brianbohannon8044]

I figured as much and understand, but that sure wouldn’t cause me to be less frustrated

[@justsomedude2962]

Great job. You handled it like a pro.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you very much :)

[@skinnybricks]

Nice job!

[@interceptflight]

Thanks!

[@thepumpdoctor1]

Nice job staying calm and handling the situation so competently. Also the points you make about things you could do better were very valid and demonstrate an excellent attitude. Also, your decision to find the nearest airport for a landing was correct. Even if you had believed it to be "only" a turbo issue two of the three principal failure modes are critical and require landing ASAP.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you very much.

[@chakriavala9925]

You handled it great! In the end it’s a positive outcome

[@interceptflight]

Thank you!

[@warplaneshistory]

Good job, man!👍🏻

[@interceptflight]

Thank you :)

[@AcmePhoto]

Well done. You seem to have handled it well.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you!

[@scottbeyer101]

Glad you had some altitude to work with and put it down safely. All good decisions. Declare and often!

[@interceptflight]

Thank you.

[@GregsPC]

well done

[@interceptflight]

Thank you

[@ParisaHamidieh-il7uj]

Absolutely amazing , You are the best and most skilled pilot

[@interceptflight]

Thank you 🥰

[@taytayflyfly7291]

🤣

[@skychrisone]

Nice job, well done!

[@interceptflight]

Thank you

[@ElGiggy]

Very well done. You are correct a spiral over the numbers would have been good. Very good job.

[@interceptflight]

Yes, thank you

[@davidfox8035]

Just getting into flying - what did cirrus say about the power loss ? What was the underlying issue ? So glad you landed safely - well done !

[@interceptflight]

Thanks, we didn't contact Cirrus. The airplane came out of a fresh inspection where parts of the turbo were removed and reinstalled and the failure happened on the first flight after inspection. The turbo duct came loose.

[@davidfox8035]

@ thank you

[@lavieenrose1982]

Proud of you always

[@interceptflight]

Thank you Brigitte

[@naps3386]

Well done

[@interceptflight]

Thank you!

[@GaryLaaks1]

Well done on handling the situation. That landing was butter. Well done on ATC and all involved and for declaring an emergency. Some folk would possibly not have done so. Regards from South Africa.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you so much.

[@cyh4031]

Good job sir...given your circumstances...everyone is safe, as is the plane, so win win...thank you Lord...it could have been far worse! You earned my subscription today! Thanks for your honest assessment of yourself! It takes a humble person to do that!

[@interceptflight]

Thank you so much for your kind words 😊

[@PilotLife215]

You gained a subscriber. Well done, what was the problem?

[@interceptflight]

Thank you. Turbo duct failure

[@evanscm3]

good job by you and the controllers... i think as an armchair observer (CPL), you're right to comment that the flaps should be left up until the runway is made... it could have been a bit marginal there as there wasn't much energy left on final... (and that truck!) ... also to make a very definite effort to pitch / trim for and maintain best glide speed as a first action even before troubleshooting the partial power loss. I doubt most of us would handle this much better... great job!

[@interceptflight]

Thank you for your advice. Much appreciated

[@keysflying4787]

I think you handled it well. I had the same situation happen to me one year ago with a boost failure and loss of power. I too had to spiral down from 11k.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you. Safe flying.

[@zachreyhelmberger894]

PTL, everyone made it home safe!

[@interceptflight]

Thank you 😊

[@munggone]

Always go directly to the field and spiral down until you can set up for a power off 180 to your chosen runway… Good job handling the stressful situation with a passenger…

[@interceptflight]

That is what I learned from this. Thank you very much.

[@munggone]

​@@interceptflight This wasn’t taught to me until I was training be a CFI, so I wouldn’t really expect that from even a commercial single engine pilot… It was one of the last tasks I had to demonstrate before my CFI sign off… Instructor pulled the power 5000 AGL above the field and I had to perform a steep spiral decent over the center of the field until 1500 AGL, then enter the downwind midfield, ending with a power off 180 to landing on centerline… Was flying a T Tail Piper Arrow… So I had to plan the final approach high, then drop the gear and final flaps on short final, which dramatically increased sink rate and put me right on the correct glide path crossing the runway threshold… Looking back it was a blast but at the time I was sweating and I felt like I was learning to land the space shuttle… Every flight is a learning experience, I love the Cirrus, I used to be an instructor at Aerosim in Florida giving primary instruction in the SR20… I have right at 1000 hrs in the SR20 with the Avidyn Integra avionics suite…

[@munggone]

@@interceptflight ​This wasn’t taught to me until I was training to be a CFI, so I wouldn’t really expect that reaction from even a commercial single engine pilot… It was one of the last tasks I had to demonstrate before my CFI sign off… Instructor pulled the power at 5000ft AGL above the field and I had to perform a steep spiral decent over the center of the field until 1500ft AGL, then enter the downwind midfield, ending with a power off 180 to landing on centerline… I was flying a T Tail Piper Arrow III… So I had to plan the final approach high, then drop the gear and final flaps on short final, which dramatically increased sink rate and put me right on the correct glide path crossing the runway threshold… Looking back it was a blast, but at the time I was sweating bullets, and I felt like I was learning to land the space shuttle… Every flight is a learning experience, I love the Cirrus, I used to be an instructor at Aerosim in Florida giving primary instruction in the SR20… I have right at 1000 hrs in the SR20 with the Avidyn Integra avionics suite…

[@rickrparker]

Is it standard operation to climb at full power in cruise climb?

[@interceptflight]

I was doing full power rich of peak climb which calls for throttle full forward.

[@c365inc]

Not sure if anyone has added this comment so my apologies if this is a repeat of others comments. As an owner of an SR22T and CFI, one of the scenarios that is difficult to train (but must be foremost in pilots minds) is what to do if the turbocharger fails, including departures/go arounds from high altitude airports. A pilot's reaction to the situation should be instinctive. Needless to say, such a failure will render the SR22T as a normally aspirated SR22, as such the TSIO-550-K engine will be running too rich creating a power loss. Just curious, did you run the emergency checklist (i.e. engine systems emergencies)? Per the emergency checklist (section 3-20 of the POH), did you try adjusting the mixture during your descent if the MP was low? if so did that help? I am glad everything turned out ok as I fly this section of the route fairly often... you were very close to very unhospitable terrain for nearly ~75 nm. Congratulations on the safe execution and result!

[@interceptflight]

Thank you so much, TBH I wasn't trained in turbo failures before, so I wasn't aware of the signs I should be looking for. In my mind I knew something is terribly wrong with the propulsion system and that I was very close to Klamath airport. So my immediate task was to put the airplane down safely. Your feedback is very much appreciated.

[@kdub-1200]

Seems kinda common in these SR22Ts. Nice job handling the situation.

[@interceptflight]

Indeed. Thank you

[@jdotsalter910]

Turbos fail. Our C-T18T's did too, well before TBO.

[@gawebm]

Partial power loss can be the most deadly in that it can leave you to believe you have some time. In this case circling away from the airport and giving up altitude early could have resulted in a more serious situation if the engine quit while performing the circle. I didn't hear any mention of an emergency checklist, but maybe I missed it.

[@interceptflight]

Yes, I did run a checklists, it was edited out of the video. Thank you.

[@arnaldoleon1]

Just my two cents as I don't fly the turbo - but the engine seems fine? PCT power, RPM, MP all looking good? No strange noise or vibration?

[@interceptflight]

The power dropped by about 60 percent. No vibrations or strange noises.

[@trevormiller2733]

Nice job man!

[@interceptflight]

Thanks!

[@mr.garrison6947]

My favorite plane

[@interceptflight]

Mine too

[@jnick1909]

What’s wrong with dumping flaps once you have your runway made?

[@interceptflight]

At the time, i didn't know that the turbo failed. So the engine could have further deteriorated. So preserving airspeed seems to be a better choice.

[@MAGApepe]

fine job,,, ya with turbo when the hose pops etc,, you still have a good engine,,, just the power of a non turbo model,,, once you get lower the power some what comes back :))

[@interceptflight]

Very true. Thank you

[@venutoa]

good job man. glad to hear you watch videos from many great pilots. what was the reason for the failure? amazing for $$1m dollar new plane

[@interceptflight]

Thank you. It was a turbo duct that came loose.

[@venutoa]

@@interceptflight I bet was after annual or some work??? Unbelievable. Watch Mike Bush videos. Most accidents happen after mechanic puts his hands on a plane

[@interceptflight]

@@venutoa Right on, it was right after the turbo was overhauled., I'll check out his videos.

[@venutoa]

​@@interceptflightyes. Watch them. U will change how ur maint is done and managed.. Doesn't surprise me that is was maint emergency. Savvy aviation is his channel.

[@venutoa]

​​@@interceptflightplease do. savvy aviation is his channel. it will change the way you approach maint on your plane. tons of videos. no one touches my plane without me being there. It's ur life. And if u get a mechanic... get one who is a has ppl at minimum...and if has his own plane ...even better. That should be requirement of any a&p.

[@zidoocfi]

Glad that it turned out okay and good job with several parts of handling this, but if I can offer some constructive criticism, I am a firm believer that we pilots should almost always assume that any partial engine failure might become a total engine failure at some point. With this in mind, I would have liked to see the pattern flown much closer to the airport.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you for the advice. I actually did discuss my shortcomings in the video, and among them is circling right on top of the airport in case a partial failure develops into a total one.

[@mrsaskriders]

Good job landing safe

[@interceptflight]

Thank you.

[@leeoldershaw956]

I think the flaps should be retracted as soon after takeoff once climb speed is reached They're drag and reduce performance. Their sole purpose on takeoff is to reduce takeoff roll.

[@sebasto6791]

Good job.

[@interceptflight]

Thanks!

[@dwykejack1279]

Altitude is your friend brother

[@interceptflight]

True

[@David-d4k9k]

Surprised your instruction to turn right and maintain vfr wasn’t read back.

[@interceptflight]

The read back was edited out.

[@TheRotorhound]

You did good.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you

[@edwardszane]

You stayed calm and flew the plane, nice job.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you.

[@nwanchorcertification]

Lost the turbo coupling is my guess

[@interceptflight]

Turbo duct came loose.

[@cageordie]

You did OK because you ended up on the ground in one piece. That's the main thing. But your emergency comms could have been a lot clearer. Not hesitating is certainly important, you did a good job of minimizing the "this can't be happening" time. But you need to call MAYDAY, it's much clearer. And "MAYDAY 22AB" as the start of subsequent calls is clearer than dropping "emergency aircraft" into the calls. I hope repairing the aircraft isn't too horribly expensive, not nearly as expensive as not making the runway could have been. You were really lucky to have the failure when you had altitude and an airport right below you.

[@interceptflight]

Very true. Thank you

[@kellyness7915]

7:45 for the failure

[@JaredBoggs-e1k]

Congrats on a safe landing and thank god you didn't just pull the chute like most cirrus pilots! LOL Only critique I could give is just stay over the airport!! Dont fly far from the airport

[@interceptflight]

Agreed, I did mention that in the video, thanks and stay safe.

[@randyaivaz3356]

Appears You And Everyone Else Missed the Sky Diver. You Didn't Appear to Notice or a Avoid it, If I Was His, I Would abe Ready To Cut Main Chute Free, and Land With Emergency, Anyone Else See At about 11 minutes?

[@interceptflight]

I was not notified of any jumping activities. Neither did i see any.

[@ulbuilder]

​@interceptflight parachute visible at 10:52 upper right side of screen. Barely noticeable. BTW, great job reacting to this failure. As you mentioned, you could have maybe made some better decisions, but you did nothing wrong and plenty right.

[@ulbuilder]

At 11:25 what looks like a parachute is more likely some reflection not an actual parachute because it moves with the airplane. So most likely no skydivers were alarmed in the making of this video.

[@interceptflight]

Thank you :)

[@bonanzaguy1]

3 most useless things in aviation; altitude above you, runway behind you and fuel in the truck. Congrats on a job very well done

[@interceptflight]

Thank you