# NTSB CHI02LA252: Lancair 320, N83WS, Iola, KS, August 15, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 2002, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Iola, KS - Coordinates: 37.919128, -95.400917 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9191&lon=-95.4009&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55541 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55541/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA252 ## Probable cause the engine failure for undetermined reasons and the lack of a suitable landing area to execute a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - berm (cause) ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built airplane was destroyed during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power during a GPS approach to an airport. Inspection of the airplane revealed the presence of two gallons of fuel in the fuel system. No mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation were noted. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 2002, at 1100 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair 320, N83WS, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed during a forced landing about 5 miles north of Allen County Airport (K88), Iola, Kansas. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating on an instrument rules flight plan. The pilot received minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from Hutchinson Municipal Airport (HUT), Hutchinson, Kansas, about 1015. The pilot reported that the engine lost power when the airplane was level at 2,200 feet during an instrument approach to K88. He reported that he executed a forced landing in a field after an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine. The airplane hit a berm and flipped over. The pilot stated that the fuel on the accident airplane is drawn only from the header tank. There is no fuel selector valve to change. Fuel is moved from the wing tanks to the header tank automatically. Inspection of the wreckage was performed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The airplane was inverted and resting in a pasture with its main wings separated from the fuselage. About one gallon of fuel from each wing spilled out of each wing when they were turned over. There was no fuel found in the header tank. The landing gear was retracted. The main fuel sump screen and carburetor inlet screen were free of contaminants. Disassembly of the carburetor found no contamination or anomalies. The spark plugs were removed and the engine was rotated by hand; engine continuity and thumb compression was confirmed. Both magnetos were rotated and electrical continuity was confirmed. Inspection of the flight control system confirmed continuity. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83WS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83WS-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 680, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lancair 320 - Registry model: [Sadler David A LANCAIR 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/sadler-david-a-lancair-320) (registry code 05623MJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 680 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D1F 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James D. Linlor - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 2002, 323 hours before - Departed: HUT, Hutchinson, KS - Destination: K88, Iola, KS - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: K88, Allen County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 20, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 167 in this make and model, 463 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC) - Wind: 190° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: CNU, 13 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020815027709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020815027709A), Aug 15, 2002: Amtr LANCAIR320, Iola, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 15, 2002, a Lancair 320, N83WS, enroute to Iola, Kansas for fuel, crashed while attempting to make a landing after the engine quit at 2200… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.