| Crash location | 33.154167°N, 111.926945°W
Reported location is a long distance from the NTSB's reported nearest city. This often means that the location has a typo, or is incorrect. |
| Nearest city | Chandler, AZ
33.306160°N, 111.841250°W 11.6 miles away |
| Tail number | N8725 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 31 Jul 2017 |
| Aircraft type | Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 550FG |
| Additional details: | None |
On July 31, 2017, about 1745 mountain standard time, a Columbia LC41-550FG, N8725, experienced a total loss of engine power during flight, 6 miles south of the Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD), Chandler, Arizona. The pilot subsequently made an off-airport forced landing in a field. The private pilot and three passengers were uninjured, and the airplane sustained minor damage. The aircraft was registered to LNS Enterprises, LLC., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Yuma Marine Corps Air Station/Yuma International Airport (NYL), Yuma, Arizona, about 1700 and was destined for Pegasus Airpark (5AZ3), Queen Creek, Arizona.
The pilot reported that during the descent from 9,500 ft mean sea level, the oil pressure indication dropped rapidly, followed by a drop in manifold pressure. He subsequently made contact with the CHD tower declaring an emergency and requested landing clearance. Smoke was seen coming from the engine, and shortly after the engine began to run extremely rough and then quit. The pilot activated the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and performed a forced landing to a cropped field.
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane. The lower side of the airplane was covered in oil. The upper engine cowling was removed and a hole was visible on the top side of the engine crankcase.
The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.