# NTSB ATL93LA137: Ward Long EZE, N850JW, Murfreesboro, TN, July 29, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 1993, 14:31 local (19:31 UTC) - Place: Murfreesboro, TN - Location: 35.8802° N, 86.3239° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from MURFREESBORO MUNI (MBT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8802&lon=-86.3239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3246 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3246/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA137 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency ## Analysis REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT HAD FLOWN APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, AND WAS RETURNING HOME WHEN HE REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT INFORMED THE TOWER CONTROLLER OF HIS POSITION AND STATED HIS INTENTIONS TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY. AS THE FLIGHT GOT CLOSE TO THE GROUND, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WOULD ATTEMPT AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD NEXT TO THE HIGHWAY. NO FURTHER RADIO COMMUNICATION WAS RECEIVED FROM N850JW. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE. THE CARBURETOR HEAT LEVER WAS IN THE COLD POSITION WHEN EXAMINED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. A REVIEW OF CURRENT WEATHER DATA REVEALED CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 1993, at 1431 central daylight time, a Ward Long EZE, N850JW, collided with the ground while attempting a forced landing three miles south of Smyrna Airport, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Smyrna at approximately 1215 hours. The pilot had been flying about two hours and was enroute back to Smyrna. While in a letdown through 2,700 feet, the pilot issued a position report to Smyrna Tower, 15 miles southeast. The pilot was issued the current weather information and asked to report over the Nissan plant for runway 32. Approximately 90 seconds later the pilot reported that his engine was "gone," and he planned forced landing to a road. The local police and fire departments were notified of the pilot's emergency and his location. As the airplane approached the intended landing area, the pilot changed his landing site to an adjacent field. Examination of the airplane failed to reveal a mechanical problem. The engine examination also failed to reveal a problem, and it operated normally through 2200 rpm. Examination of the cockpit area revealed that the carburetor heat lever was in the cold position. (see attached FAA Inspector's Statement) According to icing probability curves, weather conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice existed at the time of the accident.(see attached icing probabilty curves) The pilot's toxicological examinations were negative for alcohol and drugs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N850JW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N850JW-2013-07-27), registration cancelled 2013-07-27, S/N 850, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WARD LONG EZE - Registry model: [Ward James W LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/ward-james-w-long-ez) (registry code 0569042) (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: 850 - Airframe hours: 550 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ward, James W. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1993 - Departed: MQY, SMYRNA, TN - Destination: MQY - Airport: MBT, Murfreesboro Municipal, runway 36, 3,900 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,561 total, 550 in this make and model, 1,558 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MQY, 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 19930729026439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930729026439A), Jul 29, 1993: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Murfreesboro, TN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Reported powerloss returning to airport. Crash landed. No defects found. Carburetor icing existed in area. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.