Incident Sequence
The pilot was approximately 1 hour 15 minutes into the flight, cruising at 26,000 feet, when the turboprop engine lost power. White smoke was observed emanating from the exhaust. About one minute prior, the pilot noticed what he described as "splats" of moisture on the windscreen.
Emergency Descent and Landing
The pilot initiated an emergency descent. At 12,500 feet, he attempted an engine restart, but it was unsuccessful. He then glided the airplane to the nearest airport, circled, and performed a power-off landing. The airplane crossed the runway threshold at an indicated airspeed of 120 knots, floated along the runway, and touched down at midfield. After touchdown, the airplane continued down the runway, departed the end, and entered terrain and a fence. The airplane came to rest with the landing gear collapsed.
Post-Accident Examination
Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the airplane and could not identify any mechanical abnormality with the engine or fuel system.
Pilot Statements and Manual Information
The pilot reported that he had been in and out of moisture while at his cruising altitude of 26,000 feet but noted no ice buildup on the wings or windscreen. He could not recall his airspeed at the time of the engine restart attempt. The Pilot Operating Handbook states that an engine relight was possible below 13,000 feet mean sea level and below 160 knots of airspeed. The airplane was not equipped with any type of engine inlet anti-ice or deicing equipment.
A technical representative for Lancair stated that a 3/4 blockage of the engine cowling NACA induction scoop might be sufficient to starve the engine of air and induce a flameout.