# NTSB ANC89DAG02: Evanson Long EZ/52, N52AK, Palmer, AK, September 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1989, 21:00 local (Sep 28, 1989, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.620235, -148.980926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6202&lon=-148.9809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89DAG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89DAG02

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not identified, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT LONG EZ CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA NEXT TO THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT ACCORDING TO LOCAL POLICE. THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A VFR APPROACH WHEN THE IT STRUCK THE TREES. THE PILOT'S LOG BOOK REVEALED A TOTAL OF 18 HOURS IN THIS AIRCRAFT. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE. NO MEDICAL OR TOXICOLOGICAL FACTORS WERE EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52AK-1990-08-10), registration cancelled 1990-08-10, S/N 52 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EVANSON LONG EZ/52
- Registry model: [Evanson C David LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/evanson-c-david-long-ez) (registry code 05690T9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 52
- Airframe hours: 18
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Evanson, David C.
- Registered owner: David C Evgnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1986, 18 hours before
- Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: PAAQ, Palmer Muni, runway 15, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,061 total, 18 in this make and model, 2,010 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAQ, 2 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890927036969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890927036969A), Sep 27, 1989: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Struck trees on night landing approach to the lighted runway. Crash landed in a pond.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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