# NTSB CEN14LA011: Davenport Long EZ, N282RD, Boulder, CO, October 19, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 2013, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Boulder, CO - Coordinates: 40.039443, -105.22583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0394&lon=-105.2258&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88242 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88242/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88242 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA011 ## Probable cause The sudden loss of tire pressure during takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: tube](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023245): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Davenport Robert W LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023245/cases.md?model=05690X7), [All aircraft, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023245/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Davenport Robert W LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05690X7), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Davenport Robert W LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05690X7), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Davenport Robert W LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05690X7), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Davenport Robert W LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05690X7), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Davenport Robert W LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05690X7), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, shortly before liftoff, the airplane began to swerve to the left. He was unable to regain directional control, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. A postaccident examination of the runway revealed a wavy, double-line marking consistent with the width of a main landing gear tire. The marking began about 1,400 feet down the runway and continued another 400 feet until it departed the left runway edge. The pilot attributed his loss of directional control to a sudden deflation of the left main landing gear tire. The postaccident examination confirmed that the left main tire was deflated and loose in its wheel assembly. The examination did not reveal any additional anomalies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. The left swerve encountered during the takeoff roll was likely due to a sudden loss of pressure in the left main landing gear tire, which resulted in increased surface drag. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 2013, at 1045 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Davenport model Long EZ airplane, N282RD, was substantially damaged during takeoff roll at Boulder Municipal Airport (BDU), Boulder, Colorado. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Ultrapure Air LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal, local area flight that was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the accident occurred as he was attempting a takeoff on runway 8 (4,100 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). He stated that during takeoff roll, shortly before liftoff, the airplane began to swerve to the left. He was unable to regain directional control before the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright in a grass area located immediately north of the runway. The pilot reported that the left wing and the canard structural support were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. Additionally, he reported that the left main landing gear tire was found deflated following the accident. The pilot attributed his loss of directional control to a sudden deflation of the left main landing gear tire during the attempted takeoff. The pilot reported having 980 hours total flight time, of which 380 hours were completed in the accident airplane. A postaccident examination was completed by inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after the wreckage had been recovered from the accident site. Examination of the runway surface revealed a skid mark starting about 1,400 feet from the runway approach threshold. The skid mark exhibited a wavy double line pattern that was consistent with the width of a main landing gear tire. The wavy double marking continued another 400 feet until it departed the left runway edge. A white paint transfer mark was identified on the upper edge of a runway distance marker sign located about midfield. The FAA examination also confirmed that the left main tire was deflated and loose in its wheel assembly. The tire tread did not exhibit any localized scuff marks and the valve stem appeared undamaged. The examination did not reveal any additional anomalies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. The nearest aviation weather reporting station was located at Vance Brand Airport (LMO), Longmont, Colorado, about 8 miles north-northeast of the accident site. At 1052, the LMO automated surface observing system reported: wind from 040 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 14 degrees Celsius, dew point 0 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches-of-mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N282RD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N282RD), registered now, S/N 282, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DAVENPORT LONG EZ - Registry model: [Davenport Robert W LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/davenport-robert-w-long-ez) (registry code 05690X7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 282 - Year built: 1993 - Airframe hours: 762 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: UltraPure Air, LLC - Registered owner: UltraPure Air, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 27, 2013 - Departed: BDU, Boulder, CO - Destination: BDU, Boulder, CO - Airport: BDU, Boulder Municipal Airport, runway 08, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2012; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 980 total, 380 in this make and model, 870 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: LMO, 8 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 20131019019179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131019019179A), Oct 19, 2013: Davenport Robert W LONG EZ, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. On 10/19/2013 at 1045 MDT, N282RD, a experimental amateur built Long Ez aircraft was substantially damaged when it departed the runway during takeoff. The two… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88242. 454 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation (John Mak) (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(John%20Mak)-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (Brian Robinson) (item 3, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20(Brian%20Robinson)-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.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. --- 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.