Amateur-built IV-P accident near Bozeman, Montana, November 5, 2002
On November 5, 2002 at about 11:33 pm local time, a amateur-built IV-P, registered N41RJ, was destroyed in an accident near Bozeman, Montana (Gallatin Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of power for undetermined reason(s) and the pilot's failure to maintain the aircraft's flying speed above the power off stall speed in the landing configuration.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2002 · about 11:33 pm local time
- Place
- Bozeman, Montana · Gallatin Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built IV-P
- Registration
- N41RJ · no longer on the register · serial LIV-443
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 848 hour pilot/owner of the kit built Riddell/Lancair IV-P was on a 3-4 mile final to runway 30 when the engine lost power. Witnesses reported observing the aircraft approximately 200-500 feet above ground when it executed a steep right turn; pitched nose up and then rolled left ultimately impacting the ground at a steep angle and exploding. Post-crash examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.
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: 848 hours in all; 48 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 174 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 16, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-550-E (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: FCM Minneapolis MN at 8:11 pm
- Destination: BZN Bozeman MT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 30, 9,003 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 9,500 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 11:41 pm from BZN, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
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.