Summary
On August 22, 2006, a Kinnson Lancair IV-P Turbine (N514PT) was involved in an accident near Helena, MT. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: 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.
On August 22, 2006, about 1715 mountain daylight time, a Kinnson Lancair IV-P Turbine amateur-built experimental airplane, N514PT, sustained substantial damage when it struck a fence and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power about 2 miles north of the Helena Regional Airport, Helena, Montana. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that departed the Helena Airport about 1623.
According to the pilot, after flying in the local area for about 40 minutes, he returned to the airport to practice some takeoffs and landings.
This accident is documented in NTSB report SEA06LA167. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N514PT.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
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.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 22, 2006, about 1715 mountain daylight time, a Kinnson Lancair IV-P Turbine amateur-built experimental airplane, N514PT, sustained substantial damage when it struck a fence and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power about 2 miles north of the Helena Regional Airport, Helena, Montana. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that departed the Helena Airport about 1623.
According to the pilot, after flying 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 over temperature by automatically limiting the fuel flow to the turbine.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA06LA167