Kinnson LANCAIR IV-P TURBINE N514PT

Summary

On 22 August 2006 at about 23:15 local time, a Kinnson LANCAIR IV-P TURBINE registered N514PT was involved in an accident near Helena, Montana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 August 2006 at 23:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Helena, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Helena Regional Airport (HLN)

Coordinates

46.6069, -111.9828

Aircraft

Kinnson LANCAIR IV-P TURBINE

Registration

N514PT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Helena → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA06LA167

1 person had minor injuries.

The total loss of engine power as a result of turbine over temperature due to the pilot's failure to follow proper procedures for engine operation. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the ensuing forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, after flying the turbine-powered amateur-built experimental airplane in the local area for about 40 minutes, he returned to the airport to practice some takeoffs and landings. After completing the first landing, he departed and was climbing out with the landing gear and flaps retracted when he "noticed flames coming out of the right side exhaust stack." The engine lost power, and the pilot executed a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted irrigation ditches and a fence. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the right wing spar was broken. He further reported observing dents in the exhaust stacks that appeared to be from turbine blade material breaking off the turbine wheels and exiting the engine. The inspector oversaw a read out of engine parameters stored in avionics equipment installed in the airplane. According to the inspector, the data revealed "over temp and over torque of the engine for in excess of 60 seconds." The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by having equipment installed in the airplane that would prevent turbine overtemperature by automatically limiting the fuel flow to the turbine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.