Amateur-built LANCAIR IV P accident near Iola, Kansas, January 7, 2009
On January 7, 2009 at about 7:30 pm local time, a amateur-built LANCAIR IV P, registered N131DL, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Iola, Kansas (Allen County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 7, 2009 · about 7:30 pm local time · cases in 2009
- Place
- Iola, Kansas · Allen County Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LANCAIR IV P
- Registration
- N131DL · registry record · serial LIV-131
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While in the landing flare, the pilot observed an airplane on short final landing in the opposite direction. The pilot elected to abort the landing and applied full engine power. As the airplane began to climb, the engine experienced a complete loss of power. Following the pilot's unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, the airplane experienced a hard landing in a grassy area north of the runway. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. Moments later the airplane was engulfed in flames. Control continuity was established to all of the airplane's flight controls. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 7,000 hours in all; 652 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 6,800 as pilot in command; 750 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 30, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 650 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 7, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental TSIO-550 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Floatron INC
The flight
- Departed from: 1H0 Saint Louis MO at 5:00 pm
- Destination: K88 Iola KS
- Runway 01, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N131DL on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Continental TSIO-550 382 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Allen County · nearest airport
- Creve Coeur Airport · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Kansas 1,147 since 1982 · 149 in the last ten years
- Kansas 5,745 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN09LA124.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.