Cirrus SR22T · NTSB accident record

Rough Engine at NightCEN22LA117

A rough engine over Nebraska quits stuttering — and the destination is still 40 miles ahead

Date
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Time
~8:00 PM CST
Weather
Night VMC · overcast 10,000 ft · 10 SM · wind 220 at 15 kt · 54°F
Location
En route to Lincoln, Nebraska (KLNK)
Age
44
Hours in type (Cirrus SR22T)
503 hrs
Hours, last 90 days
93 hrs
Cockpit moment

Night Cruise — The Engine Goes Quietly Wrong

You're in a 2019 Cirrus SR22T at night, IFR, cruising toward Lincoln.

For most of the flight, everything looks normal.

Then the engine stutters.

A few moments later, it starts running rough.

You tell ATC and begin a diversion toward Plattsmouth.

Then, just as quickly as it started, the engine smooths out.

The airplane feels normal again.

But one indication still bothers you: the No. 3 cylinder head temperature is sitting well below the others.

Lincoln is still about 40 miles ahead.

The closer airport is behind the decision you already started making.

Do you trust the engine because it feels smooth again — or do you land while you still have options?

By the numbers
584
accidents from continuing with a known problem
39
a year
39%
were survivable
688
lives lost in them
81%
of Cirrus parachute pulls survived
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NTSB accidents, 2011–2025
The decision

The engine sounds fine now — but nothing has been fixed.

The engine is smooth again. Do you still divert?