Accident Details
On July 24, 2025, at about 1000 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair 360, registration N50LM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hardinsburg, Kentucky. The pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.
Flight History
The pilot reported that he departed Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at about 0715 with 34 gallons of fuel onboard. He flew to DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport (DKB), DeKalb, Illinois, where he landed and then taxied back to the runway. At about 0809, he departed DKB as a flight of two with a North American Navion. The destination was Breckenridge Airport (I93), Hardinsburg, Tennessee. The pilot did not purchase fuel at DKB.
During the flight, the pilot followed behind the Navion at an altitude of 7,500 feet mean sea level (msl) and flew direct to I93. He stated that he had to reduce his engine’s power setting to avoid overrunning the slower Navion.
Engine Failure and Landing
When the pilot was on short final approach to runway 10 at I93, the engine suddenly stopped producing power. He immediately retracted the landing gear and flaps to extend his glide to the runway. He also attempted to restart the engine, but it did not resume operation. The airplane impacted trees about 1,500 feet short of the runway threshold, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. There was no post-impact fire.
The pilot said his last check of the fuel level was on final approach. The fuel totalizer indicated about 6 gallons, which appeared to agree with the sight gauge on the header tank.
Wreckage
The airplane wreckage was recovered by the pilot and retained for further examination by the National Transportation Safety Board.