LAVIGNA LANCAIR IV P

Full Narrative

On January 7, 2009, about 1330 central standard time, a single-engine Lavigna Lancair IV P experimental airplane, N131DL, was destroyed following a loss of engine power and subsequent hard landing at the Allen County Airport (K88) near Iola, Kansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Floatron Incorprorated of Phoenix, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 235-nautical mile cross-country flight originated from the Creve Coeur Airport (1H0), near St Louis, Missouri, with a planned fuel stop at K88. The pilot's final destination was to be the Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD), in Chandler, Arizona.

According to the pilot, while in the landing flare, he observed an airplane on short final landing in the opposite direction. The pilot elected to abort the landing and applied full engine power. As the airplane began to climb, the engine experienced a complete loss of power. Following the pilot's unsuccessful attempt to re-start the engine, the airplane experienced a hard landing in a grassy area north of the runway. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. Moments later the airplane was engulfed in flames.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site. The inspector reported that the airplane's aft fuselage and empennage were mostly consumed in the post crash fire. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were found with the engine or other airplane systems.