While not a Lancair, I think we have enough in common with our Glasair
cousins that can learn from their misfortunes...

NTSB Identification: SEA04LA100
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, June 05, 2004 in Baker City, OR
Aircraft: Gann Glasair II-S RG, registration: N711LN
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain
errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final
report has been completed.

On Saturday, June 5, 2004, approximately 1740 Pacific daylight time, an
experimental Gann Glasair II-S RG, N711LN, impacted the terrain about 40
miles southeast of Baker City, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the
sole occupant, received fatal injuries, and the aircraft, which was
owned and operated by the pilot, was destroyed. The 14 CFR Part 91
personal pleasure flight, which departed Portland International Airport,
Portland, Oregon, at 1600, had reportedly entered instrument
meteorological conditions (IMC) prior to the accident. The pilot had
filed and activated an IFR flight plan for the flight to Vance Brand
Airport, Longmont, Colorado. There was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Route Traffic
Control (ARTC), shortly before the accident the pilot reported that he
was in IMC, and the aircraft was picking up ice. The ARTC controller
then heard the pilot transmit a Mayday call, followed by a transmission
that sounded like the pilot saying that the aircraft was in a spin.
Radar contact with the aircraft was lost at 1737, and the wreckage was
located about five hours later.