LANCAIR IV N26PD accident near Indian Springs, Nevada

Probable cause

An in-flight fire due to an undetermined electrical malfunction.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was making a cross-country flight in the airplane. While still in the initial climb, shortly after he had switched on the electric fuel boost pump at 10,000 ft mean sea level as recommended, the engine began to sputter, and he saw smoke coming from the right side of the instrument panel. The engine stopped producing power, and the pilot turned towards a highway for an emergency landing. The airplane lost electrical power, and the pilot was unable to lower the landing gear. During the gear-up landing on the highway, the propeller struck the ground, which resulted in the airplane veering to the left off the pavement into the center dirt median strip. The pilot opened the canopy and saw fuel spilling out of the left wing. He exited the airplane, and a short time later, the airplane burst into flames.

The airframe was destroyed by fire damage. Examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA294 for the full record.