Lancair LC41-550FG accident near Branson, Missouri, September 2, 2019
On September 2, 2019 at about 4:20 pm local time, a 2008 Lancair LC41-550FG, registered N405JA, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Branson, Missouri (Branson Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 2019 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Branson, Missouri · Branson Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Lancair LC41-550FG, built 2008
- Registration
- N405JA · no longer on the register · serial 411019
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot flew to another airport to pick up passengers. After refueling and loading the passengers, the pilot started the engine, which he stated was still warm and ran rough, but he was able to resolve the roughness during the engine run-up. During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power and began to surge. The pilot turned on the vapor suppressor to clear vapor from the fuel lines; the engine then lost total power. The airplane impacted trees and terrain during the forced landing which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. Examination revealed some fibrous contamination within the left fuel tank pick up screen; however, there was no fuel system contamination downstream of the fuel tanks. Disassembly examination of the engine and subsequent accessory testing did not reveal any anomalies that would result in a loss of engine power. The airplane flight manual contained numerous sections pertaining to fuel system vapor, and the circumstances of the accident, including the warm ambient temperature, were likely conducive to the formation of fuel system vapor; however, whether the loss of engine power was the result of fuel vapor could not be determined based on the available information.
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 enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during enroute (climb to cruise)
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 801 hours in all; 306 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 580 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 23, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (waiver time limited special)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,720.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 11, 2019; 10.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental TSIO-550-C (piston); 1,710 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BBG Branson MO at 4:20 pm
- Destination: MWA Marion IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 32, 7,140 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from BBG, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on February 23, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Examination - FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Examination - Continental | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Wreckage Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Flight Manual Excerpt | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.