# NTSB CHI90LA203: Forbing Longeze, N252BJ, Yutan, NE, July 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1990, 21:30 local (Jul 30, 1990, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Yutan, NE
- Coordinates: 41.239204, -96.389091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2392&lon=-96.3891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA203

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THIS HOME-BUILT AIRCRAFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND OBSTRUCTIONS (VEHICLE & ROAD SIGN) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - sign (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A NIGHT, CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT IN A BORROWED, HOMEBUILT LONGEZE. ABOUT 20 MI FROM HIS DESTINATION, THE ENG LOST POWER. AN EMERGENCY LNDG WAS MADE ON A HIGHWAY, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH A MOTOR VEHICLE & A ROAD SIGN BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A DITCH. A POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT WAS EMPTY OF USABLE FUEL. AN ENG RUN-UP REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION. THE PLT RPRTD THAT BEFORE THE ENG LOST POWER, HE HAD MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE RGT TANK, WHICH (HE THOUGHT) HAD ABOUT 7 GAL REMAINING. HE ESTIMATED THE ACFT HAD FLOWN ONLY ABOUT 20 MI FURTHER, WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. THIS LONGEZE WAS EQUIPPED WITH RETRACTABLE TRICYLE GEAR. THE MAIN GEAR RETRACTED INTO THE REAR AREA OF  THE FUEL TANKS. THIS FEATURE REDUCED THE TOTAL FUEL CAPACITY OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N252BJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N252BJ-1992-11-10), registration cancelled 1992-11-10, S/N 222 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FORBING LONGEZE
- Registry model: [Forbing Irvin H LONGEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/forbing-irvin-h-longeze) (registry code 05609VV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 222
- Airframe hours: 396
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Irving H. Forbing
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1990, 12 hours before
- Departed: KS01, HOXIE, KS
- Destination: OMA, OMAHA, NE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 20 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 19900729028939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900729028939A), Jul 29, 1990: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Yutan, NE, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Crashed making night landing on road. Hit vehicle and sign. Modified smaller fuel tanks.

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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