Plane lost power before crashing into home

A small plane lost power before it crash-landed into a neighborhood in south Kalispell, according to a federal report.

The National Transportation Safety Board on Monday released a preliminary report about the small plane that crashed into the front of a house on Golden Eye Court on Feb. 4.

The pilot and two passengers suffered only minor injuries in the crash, which remains under investigation. No one on the ground or in the house was hurt.

According to the brief report:

“On Feb. 4, at 1345 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28R-201T, N38906, experienced a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff at Kalispell City Airport. The pilot attempted to land on a residential street. The airplane collided with parked vehicles, ending up inside the first floor of a two-story home ... The commercial pilot and his two passengers received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

“The pilot stated to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he fueled the airplane with 45 gallons of avgas, taxied to pick up his passengers, and performed a complete engine run-up and preflight checks. During takeoff the airplane behaved normally and accelerated smoothly.

“After takeoff, between 300 and 500 feet above ground level, the airplane’s engine started to sputter and lose power. The airplane was over a residential area. The pilot selected the longest street on which to make a forced landing. He lowered the flaps and slowed the plane to a minimum controllable airspeed.

“The airplane collided with a number of vehicles and trees, and in the process, the left wing separated from the fuselage. The airplane rotated inverted and embedded itself into the front of a domestic house. The pilot egressed through the pilot’s side window, and he assisted the egress of his passengers.”

The safety board cautioned that the report is preliminary, may contain errors and is subject to change as a final report is completed in coming weeks or months.

The report does not identify the pilot of the plane or any of the passengers. Online records show the plane was based at Kalispell City Airport and registered to Michael V. Seaman of Kalispell.

An estimated $50,000 in damage was done to the house on Golden Eye Court and vehicles parked along the street, according to Kalispell Fire Chief Dave Dedman.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.