# NTSB SEA06LA167: Kinnson Lancair IV-P Turbine, N514PT, Helena, MT, August 22, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 2006, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Helena, MT - Coordinates: 46.606945, -111.98278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6069&lon=-111.9828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64400 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64400/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06LA167 ## Probable cause 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. ## 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, climb - turbine assembly - overtemperature (cause) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, after flying the turbine-powered amateur-built experimental airplane 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 overtemperature by automatically limiting the fuel flow to the turbine. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N514PT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N514PT-2013-09-23), registration cancelled 2013-09-23, S/N LIV-498, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kinnson Lancair IV-P Turbine - Registry model: [Kinnson Allan LANCAIR IV-P TURBINE](https://openairdocs.org/model/kinnson-allan-lancair-iv-p-turbine) (registry code 05614WR) (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: LIV-498 - Airframe hours: 188 - Engines: Walter 601E 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2006 - Departed: HLN, Helena, MT - Destination: HLN - Airport: HLN, Helena Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 2,150 total, 30 in this make and model, 110 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: HLN, 3 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 20060822017889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060822017889A), Aug 22, 2006: Kinnso LANCAIRIVPTU, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he had been flying the aircraft for about 40 minutes. He then returned to the Helena airport and made a touch and go. After he… 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.