# NTSB DEN91LA134: Abernathy LONG-EZ, N123LH, Raton, NM, September 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1991, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Raton, NM
- Coordinates: 36.88079, -104.439521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8808&lon=-104.4395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18138/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA134

## Probable cause

PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OF THE PILOT.  FACTORS WERE:  ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
  - physical impairment(organic problem), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT WAS PREPARING TO LAND, HE FOUND THE FLIGHT CONTROLS TO BE STIFF.  TO KEEP THE NOSE RAISED FOR LANDING, HE WAS FORCED TO MAKE A HIGH SPEED APPROACH.  THE LANDING GEAR WAS SEVERED DURING GROUND IMPACT.  THE PILOT WAS LATER HOSPITALIZED WITH A BRAIN TUMOR THAT CAUSED PARALYSIS ON THE RIGHT SIDE.  NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FLIGHT CONTROL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123LH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123LH-1991-10-18), registration cancelled 1991-10-18, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ABERNATHY LONG-EZ
- Registry model: [Abernathy Harry Edward LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/abernathy-harry-edward-long-ez) (registry code 05690T2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harry E. Abernathy
- Registered owner: Harry E. Abernathy
- Departed: RTN, RATON, NM
- Airport: RTN, Crews Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,000 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910927043519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910927043519A), Sep 27, 1991: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Raton, NM, Substantial damage. Unable to use aileron or elevators. Beleived control stiff, crash landed. Found pilot paralyzed by brain tumor.

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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