NTSB Factual Report

On August 7, 2003, approximately 1440 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Schulze Lancair 360, N360W, impacted a vehicle while attempting a forced landing on a highway about one quarter mile southeast of Pearson Airpark, Vancouver, Washington. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned by a friend of the pilot, was destroyed by a post-crash fire. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which was departing for Scappoose Industrial Airpark, Scappoose, Oregon, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot, during the initial climb out he noticed a puff of smoke come from somewhere near the front of the aircraft. At that point he made the decision to return to the field for a precautionary landing. He therefore made a 180 degree turn toward the field and reduced power in order to initiate a descent. As he neared the field, he pushed the throttle forward to increase power, but found that the engine had quit. He therefore made the decision to land on a nearby road. During the landing, he successfully flew over the top of a car and touched down on the pavement, but impacted the rear of a preceding garbage truck before he was able to get the aircraft stopped. The aircraft was consumed by a post-crash fire.

Witnesses to the event reported seeing smoke trailing from the aircraft during the descent.

The pilot reported that he and the owner had been building this aircraft over the last about ten years. The aircraft had accumulated a total flight time of eight hours at the time of the accident. The engine, a G/M Chevrolet V-6, liquid cooled, electric ignition, had accumulated approximately 60-70 hours of run time with no noted problems.

After the wreckage was recovered from the highway and taken back to the Pearson Airpark, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the aircraft and engine. The inspector reported that the engine mounts, engine, gear reduction box, starter, alternator and hydraulic pump for the propeller were intact, but were badly burned. The exhaust header on the right side of the engine was cracked, but appeared to be impact damaged. Associated wiring and hoses were destroyed by fire damage. One propeller blade exhibited an approximate 2 1/2 inch deep gouge, about 7 inches from the blade tip. Neither blade was in the feathered position. The propeller shaft broke approximately five inches out from the gear reduction box mount. The fuel header tank had been filled prior to departure. The wing tanks had some fuel, but were not full.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the initial climb. Collision with a vehicle during landing was a factor.