# NTSB SEA04LA179: Hardin Lancair 320, N320MC, Chewelah, WA, September 3, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 2004, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Chewelah, WA - Coordinates: 48.299999, -117.749725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3000&lon=-117.7497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60083 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60083/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA179 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion as a result of a fuel leak from an undetermined location resulting in a loss of engine power during approach for landing and subsequent forced landing. Soft terrain was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fluid,fuel - leak (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor) ## Analysis Both the pilot and pilot rated passenger reported that this was the first flight after the engine had been rebuilt. The flight was planned to circle the airport environment to "break-in" the engine. The engine had been operating at 75 % power for the 30 minutes and readings for engine performance and fuel consumption were recorded. The pilots then decided to land at the airport they had been circling. Both pilots reported that just after the landing gear was lowered, they both smelled a heavy odor of fuel. About two minutes later, the engine began to sputter and subsequently quit. Unable to accomplish a successful landing at the airport, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to an open field. The aircraft's left wingtip contacted the surface first and the aircraft cartwheeled before coming to rest. Post-accident inspection of the wreckage found a small amount of fuel in one wing, however, due to the severity of the break-up of the structure and compromise of the fuel system, the source of the fuel leak could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2004, at 1230 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Hardin Lancair 320, N320MC, registered to and flown by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power followed by an emergency off airport landing to an open field near Chewelah, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot owner and commercial pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. The flight had been operating in the local area for about 30 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview, both the pilot and pilot rated passenger reported that this was the first flight after the engine had been rebuilt. The flight was planned to circle the airport environment to "break-in" the engine. The engine had been operating at 75 % power for the 30 minutes and readings for engine performance and fuel consumption were recorded. The pilots then decided to land at the airport they had been circling. Both pilots reported that just after the landing gear was lowered, they both smelled a heavy odor of fuel. About two minutes later, the engine began to sputter and subsequently quit. Unable to accomplish a successful landing at the airport, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to an open field. The aircraft's left wingtip contacted the surface first and the aircraft cartwheeled before coming to rest. Post-accident inspection of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, reported that the right side wing tank contained a quart of fuel and there was some fuel present in the main strainer. No "header tank" had been installed nor were there check valves in the vent system. During the crash sequence, the propeller shaft broke inside the crankcase and the crankshaft could not be rotated. Due to the severity of the break-up of the structure and compromise of the fuel system, the source of the fuel leak could not be determined. The pilot reported that approximately 36 gallons of fuel was on board at the time of departure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N320MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N320MC-2007-01-23), registration cancelled 2007-01-23, S/N 444-FB-24, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hardin Lancair 320 - Registry model: [Hardin M C LANCAIR 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/hardin-m-c-lancair-320) (registry code 0561853) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 444-FB-24 - Airframe hours: 20 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: M.C. Hardin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 3, 2004 - Departed: 1S9, Chewelah, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 7, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 2,500 total, 15 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: DEW, 25 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 20040903019409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040903019409A), Sep 3, 2004: Amtr LANCAIR320, Chewelah, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) During local test flight, engine ran rough, then quit. A/c landed off airport with major damage. There was a small post accident fire that was… ## Other investigations on N320MC (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX91LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA194), May 5, 1991: Lancair 320 (N320MC), Fall River Mill, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND TO RECOVER FROM A BOUNCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN AN ON GROUND LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WIND… 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.