To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Cc: win_froelich@msn.com, froelich@cybertrails.com, Valn23@silcom.com
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 12:27:03 -0700
Subject: N493K
Message-ID: <20000611.122705.-171695.0.refroelich@juno.com>
From: refroelich@juno.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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N493K is no longer a flyable lancair IV.  Descended from 10,500 feet to
about 5,700 feet with the engine near idle.  Made a 180 degree turn, then
applied power and there was none.  Had to dive under four sets of tall
high tension power lines to belly in a field at 4,250 feet.  The rudder
counter weight must have caught a line that tore off about 15 per cent of
the top of the rudder. 

Struck the top of a stack of tractor tires with the right wind and right
horz. stab., touched down three times, took out two heavy wired pasteur
fences and came to rest with the passenger compartment untouched.  Last
airspeed noted was 85 knots with 10 degrees of flaps.  

After release of the air pressure on the door seal, opened the door and
stepped out.  Not a single window was cracked, leather interior was
untouched.  

Two lessons:  One, I did not have on the shoulder strap since I can not
reach the fuel selector switch with it on.  Had not obtained inertial
release unit for the shoulder strap.  Don't fly without such a unit.  As
a result my head hit the glare shield which was well padded, it folded
down into the instrument panel that was pushed in about an inch.  The
padding saved my head.  Only a scratch on nose and scalp, and a right
black eye. 

Two, On inspection by FAA there was fuel in the line to the spider.  One
pilot told of having three incidents with the same 550 B engine at idle
on descent that did not respond until he pulled back the mixture to off,
and advanced it only after the engine began to catch.  

At loss of power, I would now first change tanks, second hit the electric
fuel pump, and if that did not start the engine, I would assume it was
flooded and pull the mixture. 

I believe I had about 50 seconds to make decisions and land.  In time I
will probably have a number of goodies, including the $5,000 leather
interior, for sale.  Irronically I had just that morning update the
KLN90B data base. 

Bob
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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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