Central Copters LANCAIR IV-P N671

Summary

On 15 April 2006 at about 02:40 local time, a Central Copters LANCAIR IV-P registered N671, operated by Mark W. Duffy, was involved in an accident near Belgrade, Montana, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 April 2006 at 02:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Belgrade, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Gallitin Field (KBZN)

Coordinates

45.8006, -111.1894

Aircraft

Central Copters LANCAIR IV-P

Registration

N671

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Mark W. Duffy

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Spokane → Belgrade

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

SEA06LA074

Nobody was injured.

The total loss of drive power to the aircraft's propeller while on a visual final approach, due to the decoupling of the quill shaft between the reduction gearbox and the engine power section. Factors include a dark night, no suitable terrain on which to land, and the rough/uneven nature of the terrain upon which the pilot had to execute his forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on final for a night visual approach, the quill shaft between the reduction gear box and the power section of the engine decoupled. This resulted in a loss of drive input to the propeller, and ultimately to an off-field forced landing on rough/uneven terrain. Although the initial touchdown was successful, during the rollout the aircraft impacted the terrain, and after it came to a stop a small fire developed near the engine exhaust. Although the occupants tried to put out the fire, they were unable to do so, and the aircraft was eventually consumed by the fire.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.