# NTSB CHI06CA136: Miller Rutan Long-Ez, N944SJ, Morris, IL, May 23, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 23, 2006, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Morris, IL
- Coordinates: 41.425277, -88.418609
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4253&lon=-88.4186&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA136

## Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power during the final approach to landing for undetermined reasons, and the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the pilot.  The tall grass was a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The amateur-built experimental airplane sustained substantial damage when it landed in a field with tall grass about 210 feet short of the paved runway.  The pilot reported that he applied power when he recognized that he was low on the approach, but the engine did not respond and the airplane impacted the terrain.  The inspection of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was intact and that there was compression on all cylinders.  The engine was fuel injected and had electronic ignition.  No deficiencies were found that would have precluded normal engine operation.  The left fuel tank had 5 gallons of fuel and the right tank had 8 gallons of fuel.  Both of the wooden propeller blades were shattered off about 12 inches from the hub.

## Factual narrative

The amateur-built experimental airplane sustained substantial damage when it landed in a field with tall grass about 210 feet short of the paved runway.  The pilot reported that he applied power when he recognized that he was low on the approach, but the engine did not respond and the airplane impacted the terrain.

The inspection of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was intact and that there was compression on all cylinders.  The engine was fuel injected and had electronic ignition.  No deficiencies were found that would have precluded normal engine operation.  The left fuel tank had 5 gallons of fuel and the right tank had 8 gallons of fuel.  Both of the wooden propeller blades were shattered off about 12 inches from the hub.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N944SJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N944SJ), registered now, S/N 1547 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Miller Rutan Long-Ez
- Registry model: [Miller David LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-david-long-ez) (registry code 05606NQ) (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: 1547
- Engines: Lycoming IO-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David D. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PAH, Paducah, KY
- Destination: C09, Morris, IL
- Airport: C09, Morris Municipal Airport, runway 18, 4,001 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 467 total, 300 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060523012609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060523012609A), May 23, 2006: Amtr LONGEZ, Morris, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) While on short final to RW18, PIC tried to add power to correct for altitude, and the engine did not respond in time. The aircraft got sucked into tall…

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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