Chicago man killed in Oregon plane crash

Associated Press ^ | April 24, 2012

[Petruchio]

A kit-built, high-performance light plane crashed Monday in central Oregon, killing two men, the Deschutes County sheriff's office said.

[snip]

The victims were identified as Harry Mortimer League, 68, of Chicago and Patrick Franzen, 52, of Bend. Their bodies were recovered and their relatives have been notified, Davis said.

The plane was described as a single-engine Lancair IV-Propjet.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

[snip to end]

[Petruchio]

The Lancair Propjet is a four-seat, pressurized, composite aircraft powered by a 750-hp Walter M601E turboprop engine.

Early reports are leaning towards engine problems.

[OrangeHoof]

I guess he was out of his league...

[SpaceBar]

The type of aircraft...

[Jack Hydrazine]

Did they go through their engine-out checklist by first trimming for best glide?

[dinodino]

Fast airplane!

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[grobdriver]

There was another report that they were on fire and broke up (composites melt)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-arlington-heights-man-dies-in-oregon-plane-crash-20120424,0,2482665.story

[Jack Hydrazine]

And the 787 is another composite aircraft that will probably break up in mid-flight when it catches on fire!

[az_gila]

This might be a better picture since it was a turbo-prop not a conventional engine. A longer nose and much more power.

Same type as this one -

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2842279/posts

[Optimom]

If I recall correctly, John Denver was flying one of these kit planes when he crashed and was killed.

[az_gila]

No, Denver was in a Rutan Long-Eze or Vari-Eze... Completely different, and much slower.

[Erik Latranyi]

Is he connected to Obama somehow?

[Dick Vomer]

I didn’t notice any rioting or flags at half staff....so I guess........ nevermind.

[ParityErr]

There was another report that they were on fire and broke up (composites melt) http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-arlington-heights-man-dies-in-oregon-plane-crash-20120424,0,2482665.story

My niece's husband knows a guy who had an inflight engine fire in his Lancair turbine. He was able to land it but it was completely destroyed.

[HerrBlucher]

Friend of mine gave me a ride in his Lancair, what a blast. It looped and rolled with ease. The turbo is likely even more fun.

[grobdriver]

Maybe not, if his multiple fire warning systems, fire suppression systems, fuel shutoff valves all work as designed.

I doubt if the poor schlub in the Lancair had any of these.

[Petruchio]

From what I have heard, the Lancair is a very agile high performance plane. Almost like flying a WWII fighter.

[HerrBlucher]

Yes, it has about the same performance as a P-40, although I bet it handles a lot better.

[Petruchio]

for your ping list

[indthkr]

Lancair IV-Propjet

Isn't this the plane that the Micron CEO died in....?