Pilot Debrief

KUYKENDALL CHARLES LANCAIR IV near Indian Springs, NV — 2021-07-28

Final reportWPR21LA294
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Date
2021-07-28
Location
Indian Springs, NV, USA
Airport
VGT
Aircraft
KUYKENDALL CHARLES LANCAIR IV
Registration
N26PD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

An in-flight fire due to an undetermined electrical malfunction.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was making a cross-country flight in the airplane. While still in the initial climb, shortly after he had switched on the electric fuel boost pump at 10,000 ft mean sea level as recommended, the engine began to sputter, and he saw smoke coming from the right side of the instrument panel. The engine stopped producing power, and the pilot turned towards a highway for an emergency landing. The airplane lost electrical power, and the pilot was unable to lower the landing gear. During the gear-up landing on the highway, the propeller struck the ground, which resulted in the airplane veering to the left off the pavement into the center dirt median strip. The pilot opened the canopy and saw fuel spilling out of the left wing. He exited the airplane, and a short time later, the airplane burst into flames. The airframe was destroyed by fire damage. Examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after engine began to sputter.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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