September 3, 2014, Collegedale, Tenn. Lancair IV-P Experimental

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted an open field at about 1522 Eastern time. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed. The commercial pilot was fatally injured.Shortly after reaching its 16,000-foot cruise altitude, the pilot reported “engine problems” and requested to divert. At 1513, the pilot reported the airplane “lost engine power.” The pilot reported “oil all over the windshield” and that he “could not see a thing” and that a forced landing was imminent.

Editorial Staff

Friday, October 31, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A commercial pilot was fatally injured and the airplane substantially damaged after reporting engine problems and an inability to see due to oil on the windshield.
The incident occurred shortly after reaching cruise altitude, with the pilot reporting a loss of engine power and imminent forced landing.
Post-crash examination indicated the airplane impacted in a left-wing-down, slightly inverted attitude, and the propeller was not located.

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Shortly after reaching its 16,000-foot cruise altitude, the pilot reported “engine problems” and requested to divert. At 1513, the pilot reported the airplane “lost engine power.” The pilot reported “oil all over the windshield” and that he “could not see a thing” and that a forced landing was imminent.