2009 Vans RV-9A Forced Landing Near Marianna, Florida (N362TS)

Accident Overview and Flight History On August 23, 2009, at approximately 1305 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Vollenweider/Hurst Van's RV-9A, N362TS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Marianna Municipal Airport (MAI), Marianna, Florida. The 65-year-old pilot/owner, who held a private pilot certificate and an experimental aircraft repairman certificate, was seriously injured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions, with no flight plan filed. The pilot departed from Tri-County Airport (1J0), Bonifay, Florida, for a personal flight with no specific destination. While in a cruise-climb at approximately 3,500 feet, the pilot heard a loud bang. Although the engine continued to run and the pilot could control engine RPM, he determined that propeller thrust was lost and propeller RPM could no longer be controlled. The pilot reported engine problems on the airport common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) and intended to land on runway 8 at MAI. However, realizing the airport could not be reached, he advised an MAI attendant of an off-airport landing. The aircraft struck trees and came to rest in a swamp approximately 3 miles west of MAI. The pilot was evacuated by a military helicopter after being located by an emergency medical services helicopter and law enforcement personnel.