Lemond FLY FISHER N397JL

Summary

On 26 June 2011 at about 16:03 local time, a Lemond FLY FISHER registered N397JL, operated by Doug Sapp LLC, was involved in an accident near West Glacier, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 June 2011 at 16:03

Classification

Accident

Location

West Glacier, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Ryan Field Airport (2MT1)

Coordinates

48.4831, -113.9594

Aircraft

Lemond FLY FISHER

Registration

N397JL

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Doug Sapp LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

West Glacier → Omak

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA289

2 people were seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, during his preflight inspection, he drained fuel from all three fuel drains with no evidence of water noted. During the takeoff roll, the airplane was about halfway down the runway when he heard a small pop and looked at the engine rpm gauge. The pilot stated that he saw no indication of a loss of engine power and decided to continue the takeoff. As the airplane was over the departure end of the runway, the engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to an adjacent field. During the landing, the airplane struck trees and came to rest on its right side. The pilot added that when the engine lost power, it was "like it [the engine] had a slug of water." Examination of the recovered engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. Examination of the airframe fuel filter revealed that a small amount of clear liquid was within the filter bowl. The liquid was tested and found to be water. It is likely that the unusual attitude in which the airplane was parked during the pilot's preflight inspection may have allowed water to be trapped within different areas of the fuel tank that would have prevented the water from gathering at the lowest point within the fuel tank.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.