Engine failure and collision with terrain involving a Cirrus SR20, Shellharbour Airport, New South Wales, on 3 April 2026

What happened

On 3 April 2026, the pilot of a Cirrus SR20 planned a private solo flight from Bankstown to Shellharbour, New South Wales. The pilot was planning to complete circuit practice and then return the aircraft to Bankstown.

During cruise to Shellharbour at 2,400 ft AMSL, while operating in autopilot mode, the fuel mixture was leaned¹ and the pilot observed multiple brief power reductions shortly thereafter. The vibrations lasted 1–2 seconds and did not persist, and the pilot elected to continue to Shellharbour as planned. 

Having completed 3 non-eventful circuits on runway 24 at Shellharbour, a fourth circuit was commenced. While the aircraft was established on downwind, the pilot switched fuel tanks to conserve fuel. A landing and subsequent take‑off for a fifth circuit was then commenced. During upwind at approximately 350–450 ft AMSL, the pilot observed several momentary power losses followed by a sustained loss of power and a significant vibration. The engine was fluctuating between the production of power and loss of power. 

The pilot was aware of the low altitude and low airspeed and conducted a forced landing in a vacant paddock to the west of the airfield. Prior to landing, the pilot confirmed that the throttle was in the full position with an accompanying rich fuel mixture and the fuel pump in the on position. Just prior to touching down, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall and collided with terrain resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and undercarriage (Figure 1). The pilot sustained minor injuries. 

The post-flight engineering inspection revealed an induction leak at the no. 1 position induction pipe and a brief rough running magneto. Engineers replaced the no. 2 fuel injector nozzle and 2 of the magneto plugs. 

Cirrus airframe parachute system 

The Cirrus airframe parachute system (CAPS) is designed to safely lower the aircraft and its occupants to the ground, under parachute, in the event of a life-threatening emergency where activation is determined to be safer than continued flight, such as medical incapacitation or airframe failure. In this instance, due to the aircraft’s low altitude, the pilot did not deploy the parachute.

Figure 1: Aircraft wreckage

Source: Media, annotated by the ATSB

Safety message

During emergency operations at low altitude, pilots are encouraged to be decisive when selecting the appropriate landing area, as well as vigilant in maintaining the speed required for a forced landing to avoid a stall prior to touchdown. Should the aircraft enter an aerodynamic stall, execute the stall recovery technique. 

About this report

Decisions regarding whether to conduct an investigation, and the scope of an investigation, are based on many factors, including the level of safety benefit likely to be obtained from an investigation. For this occurrence, no investigation has been conducted and the ATSB did not verify the accuracy of the information. A brief description has been written using information supplied in the notification and any follow-up information in order to produce a short summary report, and allow for greater industry awareness of potential safety issues and possible safety actions.

1. ^    The mixture is leaned for stages of flight that would require less fuel to maintain efficient engine operation.