Curtiss-Wright P-40E N4420K

Summary

On 27 June 2023 at about 13:59 local time, a Curtiss-Wright P-40E registered N4420K, operated by Rare Birds Montana LLC, was involved in an accident near Hamilton, Montana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 June 2023 at 13:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Hamilton, Montana, United States

Coordinates

46.2707, -114.1292

Aircraft

Curtiss-Wright P-40E

Registration

N4420K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Rare Birds Montana LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR23FA244

1 person died.

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported that the airplane departed from runway 35 after a successful runup. During the initial climb, multiple witnesses reported that they heard a loss of engine power and saw the airplane make a left turn before it descended and impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit control to each flight control surface. The crankshaft was manually rotated by the reduction gear and mechanical continuity of the engine was established throughout the rotating group, valvetrain, and accessory section. Though mechanical continuity was established, the engine could not be placed on the test stand due to impact and thermal damage. Damage to the propeller blades indicated they were under low to no power at impact. The pilot’s postmortem toxicological testing detected Citalopram, a prescription medication commonly used to treat depression and anxiety, However, according to a Federal Aviation Administration medical review, the pilot received multiple renewal letters, medication follow-up checklists, and reports of formal evaluations of his medical conditions within the pilot’s medical certification file, indicative of successful management of his condition from 2014 to 2023. Based on the pilot’s medical history, he was likely not impaired by his condition; witnesses reported that the pilot was in a good mood during the preflight. The pilot was likely attempting to make a forced landing to a field about 1/2 mile from the departure airport. The airplane appeared to hit hard on the nose/engine in a nearly wings-level attitude and skidded about 216 ft. Based on the available information, the reason for an engine loss of power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.