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 when his airplane crashed in an open field shortly after reporting engine problems and total loss of engine power.
The pilot reported "oil all over the windshield" and an inability to see, stating a forced landing was imminent.
The airplane impacted the ground in a left-wing-down, slightly inverted attitude, and post-impact examination revealed the propeller was missing, though its flange remained.

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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.