Accident Overview
On June 27, 2023, at approximately 0759 mountain daylight time, a Curtiss Wright P-40E, registration N4420K, sustained substantial damage following an accident near Hamilton, Montana. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The aircraft was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Preflight and Departure
According to an airframe and powerplant mechanic, the pilot conducted a preflight inspection at Ravalli County Airport (HRF) and required assistance with a starter issue. After the mechanic inspected the starter, the pilot started the engine without further incident and proceeded with pretakeoff checks. The mechanic noted the pilot appeared happy. Another mechanic observed the pilot perform a full run-up while taxiing to the hold-short line for runway 35. Following magneto checks, a 3-5 second engine surge was heard. The pilot then departed on runway 35.
Witness Accounts and Accident Sequence
Witnesses near the accident site reported seeing the airplane depart to the north. During the initial climb, the airplane turned left to the west. Shortly thereafter, it descended and impacted terrain in a nose-down attitude. Multiple witnesses reported a power loss event during the initial climb.
Wreckage and Site Examination
The accident site was located about half a mile west of the departure end of runway 35. The debris path, oriented on a magnetic heading of approximately 230°, extended about 216 feet from the initial impact point to the main wreckage. All major components were observed within the debris path. The fuselage came to rest upright on a heading of about 060° magnetic at an elevation of 3,615 feet mean sea level.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to each flight control surface. The reduction gearbox pinion gear was manually rotated, and mechanical continuity was confirmed throughout the rotating group, valvetrain, and accessory section.
Medical and Toxicological Findings
The pilot’s autopsy, performed by the Montana State Medical Examiner, determined the cause of death as blunt force and thermal injuries, with the manner ruled accidental. Toxicological testing by the FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory detected Citalopram, N-Desmethylcitalopram, Albuterol, and Rosuvastatin in specimens from the pilot. Citalopram, a prescription medication for depression and anxiety, was noted to carry warnings about potential impairment of judgment, thinking, or motor skills. The pilot's FAA medical certification file indicated successful management of his condition on citalopram since 2014, with multiple renewal letters and evaluations through 2023. The other detected medications—Albuterol (used for respiratory conditions) and Rosuvastatin (for cholesterol control)—are not generally considered impairing.