# NTSB DEN08LA032: Gomory Long EZ, N191PS, LeRoy, KS, November 16, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 16, 2007, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: LeRoy, KS - Coordinates: 38.083889, -95.634162 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0839&lon=-95.6342&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67130 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67130/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA032 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper fuel calculations and in-flight planning. ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane departed with approximately 2 hours flight time of fuel in the left fuel tank and 1.5 hours in the right fuel tank. During the flight at an altitude of 4,500 feet mean sea level, the fuel selector was in the left fuel tank position. The pilot reported that while en route, he decided to change the fuel selector position when the airplane was over the next airport. Approximately 5 minutes later and prior to switching the fuel tank selector to the right tank position, the engine lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart the engine; however, the engine did not restart. The pilot then elected to execute a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest upright. The engine was test run on the airframe for approximately 10 minutes with no anomalies noted. In the accident report section, "How could this accident have been prevented?", the pilot reported, "Add more than enough gas." ## Factual narrative On November 16, 2007, approximately 1650 central standard time, a Gomory Long EZ single-engine airplane, N191PS, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Le Roy, Kansas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed Fulton, Missouri, at 1515 and was destined for Wichita, Kansas. According to the pilot, the airplane departed Fulton with approximately 2 hours flight time of fuel in the left fuel tank and 1.5 hours in the right fuel tank (Each fuel tank had a capacity of 26 total gallons and 24 gallons of usable fuel). During the flight at an altitude of 4,500 feet mean sea level, the fuel selector was in the left fuel tank position. The pilot reported that while en route, he decided to change the fuel selector position when the airplane was over the next airport. Approximately 5 minutes later and prior to switching the fuel tank selector to the right tank position, the engine lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart the engine; however, the engine did not restart. The pilot then elected to execute a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest upright. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), section "How could this accident have been prevented?", the pilot reported, "Add more than enough gas." Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the outboard left wing was partially separated and the wing spar was fractured. On November 27, 2007, the engine was test run under the supervision of a FAA inspector. Prior to the engine test run, the inspector "visually confirmed the [left hand] fuel sight glass as completely empty and the [right hand] fuel sight glass indicated at least half full." The left fuel tank cap was removed, and no fuel was noted in the tank. The fuel selector was placed in the right tank position, and the engine was started. The engine was test run for approximately 10 minutes with no anomalies noted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel system - starvation (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N191PS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N191PS), registered now, S/N 996, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gomory Long EZ - Registry model: [Gomory James A LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/gomory-james-a-long-ez) (registry code 056221U) (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: 996 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William W. Ko - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2007 - Departed: FTT, FULTON, MO - Destination: AAO, WICHITA, KS - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 1,552 total, 52 in this make and model, 1,267 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 25 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg ## 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 20071116826999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071116826999A), Nov 16, 2007: Amtr LONGEZ, Le Roy, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 16, 2007, the pilot [privacy data omitted], pilot and sole occupant of a Longez amateur-built wing aircraft departed the elton hensely… 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.