# NTSB CEN11CA395: Nelson Dan H LONG-EZ, N81DN, Moriarity, NM, June 14, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 13, 2011, 18:30 local (Jun 14, 2011, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Moriarity, NM
- Coordinates: 34.982223, -106.004997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9822&lon=-106.0050&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80788
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA395
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80788/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80788
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA395

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelson Dan H LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05602PO), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Nelson Dan H LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05602PO), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Nelson Dan H LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=05602PO), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Nelson Dan H LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05602PO), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Nelson Dan H LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05602PO), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while landing in strong, gusty, surface wind, the airplane bounced and then shifted to the right. When the airplane touched down again, the main landing gear assembly separated and the nose landing gear was crushed aft, damaging the fuselage structure where both were mounted. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, while landing in strong and gusty surface winds, the airplane bounced and then "shifted to the right." When the airplane touched down again, the main landing gear assembly separated and the nose landing gear was crushed aft, damaging the fuselage structure where both were mounted. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81DN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81DN), registered now, S/N 756, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NELSON DAN H LONG-EZ
- Registry model: [Nelson Dan H LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-dan-h-long-ez) (registry code 05602PO) (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: 756
- Airframe hours: 329
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 2010
- Departed: KSLF, Sulfur Springs, TX
- Destination: KOEO, Moriarity, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: KOEO, Moriarty Airport, runway 26, 7,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2009; seat: center; flight hours: 253 total, 125 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KOEO

## 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 20110613011279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110613011279A), Jun 13, 2011: Nelson Dan H LONG-EZ, Moriarty, NM, Substantial damage. Gust of wind during touchdown caused aircraft to rotate horizontally which in turn caused main gear to fail.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80788. 6.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Mechanic Statement - CEN11CA395 (item 2, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mechanic%20Statement%20-%20CEN11CA395-Redacted.PDF

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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