# NTSB CHI89DEC04: Bridges LONG-EZ, N642JB, Rochester Hills, MI, April 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1989, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Rochester Hills, MI
- Coordinates: 42.849174, -82.679969 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8492&lon=-82.6800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEC04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEC04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TAKEOFF FROM UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER AND NOSE GEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - loose objects (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,partial
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE NOSE GEAR STRUCK SOMETHING ON THE RUNWAY DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THERE WERE CHUNKS OF GRAVEL AND ASPHALT ON THE FIRST 800 FT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETRACT THE NOSE GEAR BUT COULD NOT GET A FULL RETRACTION SO HE ELECTED TO FLY WITH IT PARTIALLY EXTENDED. A POWER REDUCTION WAS MADE TO 2000 RPM AT WHICH TIME THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE. THE PILOT EXTENDED THE NOSE GEAR AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING SOMETHING FALLING FROM THE AIRPLANE DURING FLIGHT. EXAMINATION REVEALED A 20 INCH SECTION OF ONE PROPELLER BLADE WAS MISSING. THE WOODEN PROPELLER HAD A HISTORY OF DAMAGE WITH THE REPAIRS MADE BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N642JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N642JB-2004-02-11), registration cancelled 2004-02-11, S/N LE-6996, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRIDGES LONG-EZ
- Registry model: [Bridges John E LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/bridges-john-e-long-ez) (registry code 056098X) (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: LE-6996
- Airframe hours: 283
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. E. Bridges/ R. E. Bridges
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 22, 1988, 112 hours before
- Departed: 57D, NEW HAVEN, MI
- Destination: 7D2, TROY, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 610 total, 242 in this make and model, 511 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 14 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 19890423009659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890423009659A), Apr 23, 1989: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, New Haven, MI, Substantial damage. Part of wood prop broke off in flight. Crashed on landing. Appears a piece of asphalt from broken runway hit prop.

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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