Aircraft Crashes During Emergency Landing Attempt

Details remain sketchy at this point, but Aero-News has confirmed the pilot of a homebuilt Lancair IV-P was killed when his plane came down shot of the runway at Lebanon-Springfield Airport (6I2) in Kentucky.

The aircraft was on an IFR flight plan from Blue Grass Airport (LEX) in Lexington to Kyle-Oakley Field (CEV) when the plane's pilot declared an emergency at about 1215 local time due to engine problems. Controllers in Louisville directed him to land at Lebanon.

According to WKYT-27, witnesses said the plane wasn't lined up on final to land at 6I2, and may have been on fire as it crossed the threshold. The plane (file photo of type, below) crossed over the runway, and impacted off to the side... bursting into flames.

A positive identification of the pilot will be made Thursday, following an autopsy by the Washington County coroner. The aircraft, N441L, was reportedly not local, but had visited Lebanon a number of times.

Officials said the plane had departed from CEV earlier in the day, and flew to LEX to drop off an unidentified passenger.

FMI: www.faa.gov