# NTSB ATL83LA349: Johnston Long E-Z, N82CJ, Pell City, AL, September 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1983, 17:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Pell City, AL
- Coordinates: 33.630546, -86.289093 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6305&lon=-86.2891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA349
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA349

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF IN HIGH WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS TRYING TO TAKE OFF BEFORE THE HEAVY RAIN SO HE PICKED A RWY POINTING INTO CLEAR WEATHER BUT WITH A TAILWIND. THE TAILWIND INCREASED DURING THE TAKEOFF WITH GUSTS TO 39 KTS. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 500 YARDS OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82CJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82CJ-2013-07-23), registration cancelled 2013-07-23, S/N 377, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHNSTON LONG E-Z
- Registry model: [Johnston Carlin J LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnston-carlin-j-long-ez) (registry code 056093Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 377
- Airframe hours: 115
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. Carlin Johnston
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1983, 115 hours before
- Destination: AUSTIN, TX
- Airport: PLR, St. Clair County, runway 20, 4,200 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,755 total, 126 in this make and model, 1,617 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 28 knots, gusting 39
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANB, 15 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 19830905046319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830905046319A), Sep 5, 1983: Amtrru VARIEZE, Pell City, AL, Substantial damage. Tried to beat a storm area by a downwind take. Wind increased to 40 knots. Homebuilt crashed off end of runway.

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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