NTSB Preliminary Report on Cirrus SR22 Crash in Lexington SC

This article is based on an official preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and public records regarding the investigation.

NTSB Issues Preliminary Findings on Fatal Cirrus SR22 Crash in Lexington, South Carolina

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report regarding the fatal aviation accident that occurred on February 6, 2026, in Lexington County, South Carolina. The crash of the Cirrus Design Corp SR22 Commercial-Aircraft, registered as N705CD, resulted in the death of the passenger and serious injuries to the pilot. The Investigation is ongoing, with initial findings pointing to a complete loss of engine power during the cruise phase of the flight.

According to the NTSB’s preliminary document, the single-engine aircraft was attempting an emergency diversion to a nearby private airfield when it impacted terrain short of the runway. The report provides the first official timeline of the events leading up to the tragedy, confirming that the pilot explicitly communicated an engine failure to air traffic control moments before the descent.

While the preliminary report establishes the factual circumstances of the flight, it does not yet determine a probable cause. Investigators have recovered key Avionics data and are proceeding with a detailed examination of the engine and fuel systems.

Flight History and Sequence of Events

Departure and Initial Climb

The flight originated from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina, with a planned destination of Decatur, Alabama. The NTSB report notes that the pilot and passenger arrived at the aircraft at approximately 8:00 AM EST. In an effort to prepare the aircraft for flight, they reportedly moved the plane into the sunlight to “warm it up and melt the frost” before departure.

The aircraft took off at approximately 9:05 AM. Investigators described the initial climb and the early portion of the flight as “unremarkable.” The aircraft reached a cruising altitude of 8,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) and had traveled approximately 13 nautical miles from Columbia when the emergency began.

Engine Failure and Emergency Descent

Data indicates that shortly after establishing cruise altitude, the pilot declared a “Mayday” to air traffic control. The NTSB report highlights the pilot’s direct communication regarding the mechanical state of the aircraft.

“We just lost our engine.”

, Pilot communication cited in the NTSB Preliminary Report

Following the loss of power, the pilot attempted to divert to White Plains Airport (SC99), a private airfield located in Gilbert, South Carolina. Flight tracking data and security footage reviewed by investigators showed the aircraft’s propeller was “windmilling,” spinning solely due to airflow rather than engine power, during the descent.

Despite maneuvering toward the landing strip, the aircraft could not maintain sufficient altitude to reach the runway threshold. The report states that the plane crashed approximately 1,800 feet short of the runway, impacting trees and terrain.

Wreckage Examination and Recovery

Impact and Scene Conditions

The impact sequence caused the aircraft to tumble and roll for approximately 200 feet before coming to rest in an inverted position. Significantly, the NTSB noted there was no post-crash fire. The absence of fire often preserves critical evidence, allowing investigators to better analyze fuel lines, tanks, and avionics systems for potential blockages or failures.

Local law enforcement and the Lexington County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased passenger as Andrew Frederick Nichols, 30, of Huntsville, Alabama. The pilot survived with serious injuries and was transported for medical treatment.

Parachute System Status

The Cirrus SR22 is equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), a ballistic parachute designed to lower the entire aircraft to the ground in emergencies. The NTSB investigation confirmed that the CAPS was not deployed during the incident.

Because the system was not activated, the rocket-propelled parachute remained armed within the wreckage. This presented a safety hazard for first responders and investigators at the scene. Technical experts from Cirrus Aircraft were dispatched to the site to safely disarm the mechanism before the wreckage could be fully examined or moved.

AirPro News Analysis

The non-deployment of the CAPS system is likely to be a focal point of the ongoing investigation. While the system is a hallmark Safety feature of Cirrus aircraft, its effective use depends on altitude, airspeed, and pilot decision-making timeframes. In this instance, the pilot opted for an emergency landing at a nearby Airports rather than a parachute deployment. The NTSB will likely analyze whether the altitude and position relative to the airport influenced this decision.

Furthermore, engine failure at cruise altitude (8,000 feet) is statistically less common than failures during high-stress phases like takeoff or climb. This suggests the investigation will look closely at fuel delivery issues, mechanical breakage, or oil starvation, rather than low-altitude maneuvering errors.

Next Steps in the Investigation

The NTSB has emphasized that the current report is preliminary and subject to change as new information becomes available. The wreckage has been recovered for a more granular inspection.

Focus Areas

• Engine Teardown: The engine will undergo a complete disassembly to identify any internal mechanical failures, such as fractured components or lubrication issues.
• Fuel Analysis: Investigators will test fuel samples and delivery systems to rule out contamination or blockage.
• Weather and Environment: Although the flight reached cruise altitude, the pre-flight mention of “melting frost” will be reviewed to ensure no residual ice contamination affected the airframe, though the nature of the engine failure makes this a secondary line of inquiry.
• Data Recovery: The recovery of the aircraft’s flight display systems (avionics) will provide investigators with precise data logs, similar to a “black box,” revealing engine parameters and flight control inputs leading up to the crash.

A final factual report and a determination of probable cause are expected to take between 12 and 18 months to complete.

Sources:
NTSB Preliminary Report (ERA26FAxxx)
Lexington County Coroner’s Office