# NTSB FTW02LA093: Tillman Long EZ, N126DT, Lockhart, TX, March 13, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 2002, 18:00 local (Mar 13, 2002, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Lockhart, TX - Coordinates: 29.850555, -97.676391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8506&lon=-97.6764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54338 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54338/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54338 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA093 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane had not been flown in three weeks, and the pilot planned to fly the airplane around the traffic pattern. The pilot performed a preflight inspection, taxied the airplane to the runway, and then performed a "normal" engine run-up prior to takeoff. Shortly after takeoff, approximately 200 feet agl, the engine began to lose power. The pilot "switched tanks, checked the mixture, and jockeyed the throttle a couple of times," with no response from the engine. Unable to make the runway, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane struck a fence separating the right wing and right main landing gear. The pilot stated that the airplane contained approximately 20 gallons of fuel prior to takeoff. The FAA inspector and the pilot performed a field inspection on the engine. No anomalies with the engine or airframe were noted during the examination. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 2002, at 1800 central standard time, a Tillman Long EZ homebuilt experimental airplane, N126DT, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb near Lockhart, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed the Lockhart Municipal Airport, Lockhart, at 1757. The pilot reported that he had not flown the airplane in approximately three weeks and planned to fly the airplane around the traffic pattern. The pilot performed a preflight inspection, taxied the airplane to runway 36, and then performed a "normal" engine run-up prior to takeoff. Shortly after takeoff, approximately 200 feet agl, the engine began to lose power. The pilot "switched tanks, checked the mixture, and jockeyed the throttle a couple of times," with no response from the engine. Unable to make the runway, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a fence separating the right wing and right main landing gear. The pilot stated that the airplane contained approximately 20 gallons of fuel prior to takeoff. According to an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, he and the pilot performed a field inspection on the engine. Both the magnetos produced spark at the spark plugs, valve train continuity was established, and the engine cylinders produced compression. The carburetor contained fuel, which was clean and free of contaminants. No anomalies with the engine or airframe were noted during the examination. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N126DT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N126DT-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 1264L, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tillman Long EZ - Registry model: [Tillman Donald E LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/tillman-donald-e-long-ez) (registry code 05690E8) (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: 1264L - Airframe hours: 461.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald E. Tillman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 2001, 4.7 hours before - Departed: 50R, Lockhart, TX - Destination: Lockhart, TX - Airport: 50R, Lockhart Muni, runway 36, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 12, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 769 total, 461 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 20020312005169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020312005169A), Mar 12, 2002: Amtr LONGEZ, Lockhart, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On March 12, 2002, at 1815 central standard time, a tillman long ez homebuilt airplane, N126DT, was substantially damaged during a forced landing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 3, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54338. 751 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 670 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt from Maintenance Records (item 2, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392706&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Maintenance%20Records-Redacted.PDF 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.