# NTSB SEA06CA080: Pitrolo GL-25, N27EP, Worden, MT, April 21, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 21, 2006, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Worden, MT - Coordinates: 45.959999, -108.160003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9600&lon=-108.1600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63564 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63564/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA080 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to failure of both electronic ignition systems. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Analysis According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to "check out and become familiar with a recent instrument panel upgrade performed by the local avionics shop during the past several months." After about 90 minutes of flight time, the new digital horizon indicator "had an over temperature warning," which the pilot later found was set to warn when the "local environment (behind the instrument panel)" temperature reached 120 degrees F. Within a few minutes, the engine lost power. The pilot noted that the two 5-amp circuit breakers for the two electronic ignition systems had popped and could not be reset. During the ensuing forced landing in a wheat field, the main landing gear sank into the soft ground and the "landing gear sheared off." Examination by the pilot and avionics shop personnel revealed a "dead short in each electronic ignition module." These modules were installed on the cabin side of the firewall as per the manufacturer's recommendation. The reason for the short circuits in the modules could not be determined; however, the pilot suspected "a heat related issue." ## Factual narrative On April 21, 2006, about 1630 mountain daylight time, a Pitrolo GL-25 amateur built experimental airplane, N27EP, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Worden, Montana. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed from Billings Logan International Airport, Billings, Montana, about 1500. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to "check out and become familiar with a recent instrument panel upgrade performed by the local avionics shop during the past several months." After about 90 minutes of flight time, the new digital horizon indicator "had an over temperature warning," which the pilot later found was set to warn when the "local environment (behind the instrument panel)" temperature reached 120 degrees F. Within a few minutes, the engine lost power. The pilot noted that the two 5-amp circuit breakers for the two electronic ignition systems had popped and could not be reset. During the ensuing forced landing in a wheat field, the main landing gear sank into the soft ground and the "landing gear sheared off." Examination by the pilot and avionics shop personnel revealed a "dead short in each electronic ignition module." These modules were installed on the cabin side of the firewall as per the manufacturer's recommendation. The reason for the short circuits in the modules could not be determined; however, the pilot suspected "a heat related issue." ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - ignition system - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27EP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27EP-2011-10-11), registration cancelled 2011-10-11, S/N 3027, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pitrolo GL-25 - Registry model: [Pitrolo Edward R GL-25 STD HMLTN GLAS](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitrolo-edward-r-gl-25-std-hmltn-glas) (registry code 05624RT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3027 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: BIL, Billings, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,500 total, 830 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20060421004579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060421004579A), Apr 21, 2006: Amtr GLASAIRIII, Worden, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot states this was the first flight after installing a new glass cockpit and adding a second electronic ignition system. After 1.5 hours of flight the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.