Amateur-built Lancair IV-P accident near Fryeburg, Maine, July 23, 2001
On July 23, 2001 at about 1:33 pm local time, a amateur-built Lancair IV-P, registered N488SD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fryeburg, Maine (Fryeburg airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial blockage of the air intake system, due to the pilot's failure to ensure the engine compartment was clear of paper towels after a maintenance inspection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2001 · about 1:33 pm local time
- Place
- Fryeburg, Maine · Fryeburg · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Lancair IV-P
- Registration
- N488SD · no longer on the register · serial LIV-0008
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed on a cross-country flight in an experimental airplane. While climbing through 8,000 ft, the engine lost manifold pressure, and the pilot was unable to restore climb power. He headed toward a nearby airport, and planned on a straight-in approach. Due to the low altitude of the airplane, he elected to hold the landing gear until he was close to the runway. When he extended the landing gear, there was insufficient time for full extension, and the airplane touched down about 100 feet short of the runway, with partial landing gear extension. Examination of the airplane revealed the remains of a paper towel in the turbocharger and intercooler. The pilot had completed his phase 1 flight time requirements and the accident flight was the first flight following an inspection in which the engine cowling had been removed. Paper towels were used as wipes on both the engine and airframe. The pilot was assisted by several persons, some of whom were not rated aviation mechanics. The pilot later reported that a paper towel had inadvertently been left on top of the engine. The airplane was powered by a converted automotive V-8 engine. The engine was equipped with an air filter. However, there was also a 5-inch by 10-inch opening on the back of the engine which allowed unfiltered air into the air intake manifold.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 393 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 65 in the last 90 days; 39 in the last 30 days; 367 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 17, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 45.1 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 9, 2001; 45.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Aero Engines AV8-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LEW Lewiston ME at 1:00 pm
- Destination: IZG Fryeburg ME
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 32, 4,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 1:35 pm from LEW, 29 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N488SD the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.