N288WT

On January 27, 2020, about 1524 mountain standard time, a Cirrus SR22T airplane, N288WT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Woody Creek, Colorado. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, before starting the airplane, he cleaned melting snow off the airframe and preheated the engine. During preflight, the pilot visually inspected the airframe and flight control surfaces for snow and ice contamination. He also inspected the pitot tube to ensure that it was unobstructed and properly heated. A review of airport surveillance video confirmed that the pilot conducted preflight activities consistent with snow removal, which included using a broom to remove snow in the vicinity of the static ports.

After checking the weather and loading the airplane, the pilot conducted another preflight inspection to confirm that there was no snow or ice remaining on the airplane. After starting the engine, he immediately turned on the pitot heat. Before takeoff, he ensured that the entire airframe was covered with Tecalemit-Kilfrost-Sheepbridge Stokes (TKS) deicing fluid.

The pilot began the takeoff roll on runway 33 about 1520. Shortly after takeoff, the indicated airspeed decreased from normal climb speed to less than 20 knots. Immediately thereafter, the primary flight display (PFD) completely lost airspeed indication and displayed red X's. At the same time, the backup airspeed indicator became unreliable.

The pilot decided to return to the airport, and as he maneuvered the airplane, the airspeed indicator became operational again. After confirming the airplane’s speed, the pilot began to retract the flaps, activated his flight plan on the avionics, and engaged the autopilot. Shortly thereafter, the airplane entered instrument meteorological conditions, the airspeed indicator once again failed, and the autopilot disengaged. Realizing that he was approaching rising terrain without airspeed indication or visual reference to the ground, the pilot decided to activate the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). Upon activation of the CAPS, the passenger immediately notified air traffic control via the airplane radio and requested assistance. After more than 5 hours, a rescue crew arrived on foot. The pilot and passenger safely exited the airplane through their respective cabin doors without further incident or injuries.

Recorded weather observations at the departure airport indicated that snow ended at 1449.

Review of recorded flight parameters from the airplane’s recoverable data module (RDM) revealed a decrease in recorded airspeed after takeoff, and airspeed indications returned about a minute later. The data showed that the flight director was activated during the takeoff and climb before the autopilot was activated. The RDM data indicated that the autopilot was turned off then turned back on and remained activated until the pilot deployed the CAPS.

The pitot-static system comprised a single heated pitot tube mounted on the left wing and dual static ports mounted in the fuselage. The pitot heat is pilot-controlled through a panel-mounted switch. An internally mounted alternate static pressure source provides backup static pressure should the primary static source become blocked. Water traps with drains, located under the cabin floor, are installed at each pitot and static line low point to collect any moisture that enters the system. The traps should be drained at each annual inspection and when water in the system is known or suspected.

The pilot operating handbook (POH) for the accident airplane stated:

If erroneous readings of the static source instruments (airspeed, altimeter, and vertical speed) are suspected, the alternate static source valve, on side of console near pilot’s right ankle, should be opened to supply static pressure from the cabin to these instruments…

If only the airspeed indicator is providing erroneous information, and in icing conditions, the most probable cause is pitot ice. If setting Pitot Heat ON does not correct the problem, descend to warmer air. If an approach must be made with a blocked pitot tube, use known pitch and power settings and the GPS groundspeed indicator, taking surface winds into account.

Whether the pilot and/or pilot-rated passenger opened the alternate static source following the loss of airspeed information could not be determined.