Riddell (Lancair) IV-P N41RJ

Summary

On 5 November 2002 at about 23:33 local time, a Riddell (Lancair) IV-P registered N41RJ was involved in an accident near Bozeman, Montana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 November 2002 at 23:33

Classification

Accident

Location

Bozeman, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Gallatin Field (BZN)

Coordinates

45.7428, -111.1019

Aircraft

Riddell (Lancair) IV-P

Registration

N41RJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Minneapolis → Bozeman

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03LA007

1 person died.

The loss of power for undetermined reason(s) and the pilot's failure to maintain the aircraft's flying speed above the power off stall speed in the landing configuration.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 848 hour pilot/owner of the kit built Riddell/Lancair IV-P was on a 3-4 mile final to runway 30 when the engine lost power. Witnesses reported observing the aircraft approximately 200-500 feet above ground when it executed a steep right turn; pitched nose up and then rolled left ultimately impacting the ground at a steep angle and exploding. Post-crash examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.