# NTSB DEN99LA122: Rader Long EZ, N6577C, Buena Vista, CO, July 18, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 1999, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Buena Vista, CO - Coordinates: 38.83073, -106.140335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8307&lon=-106.1403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46844 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46844/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA122 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors were his unfamiliarity with the airplane, and the soft terrain that caused the airplane to nose over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run - lift-off - premature - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis This was to be the pilot's first solo flight in the airplane, and he intended to practice takeoffs and landings. He began his takeoff roll on runway 33. When the airplane reached 60 knots, it 'suddenly and unexpectedly' became airborne (rotation speed was said to be 70 to 75 knots). The airplane dropped back onto the runway, bounced, and became airborne again. The pilot said he then lost control of the airplane. It struck a dirt median and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On July 18, 1999, approximately 1545 mountain daylight time, a Rader Long EZ, N6577C, owned and operated by the pilot, was destroyed when it collided with terrain while taking off at Buena Vista, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's accident report, this was to be his first solo flight in the airplane, and he intended to practice takeoffs and landings. He began his takeoff roll on runway 33. When the airplane reached 60 knots, it "suddenly and unexpectedly" became airborne (rotation speed was said to be 70 to 75 knots). The airplane dropped back onto the runway, bounced, and became airborne again. The pilot said he then lost control of the airplane. It struck a dirt median and nosed over. The paramedic who treated the pilot said the pilot told him he "overcontrolled" the takeoff. The airplane climbed about 10 feet, then landed hard and bounced once on the runway. It then touched down in soft dirt and nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6577C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6577C-2000-04-19), registration cancelled 2000-04-19, S/N 1537-L (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rader LONG EZ - Registry model: [Rader Martin G LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/rader-martin-g-long-ez) (registry code 056902J) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1537-L - Airframe hours: 569 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Raymond D. & Ann D. Bishop - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1999, 10 hours before - Departed: 7V1 - Airport: 7V1, Buena Vista Municipal, runway 33, 8,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 208 total, 3 in this make and model, 137 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots, gusting 13 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: 7V1 ## 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 19990718043809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990718043809A), Jul 18, 1999: Buena Vista, CO, No damage. (-23) Pilot departed runway and told chaffee county sheriff that he "overcontrolled" the takeoff. The airplane climbed about 10 feet landed hard and bounced… 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.