# NTSB FTW86FPA22: Rutan LONG-EZ, N23RY, Cedar Hill, TX, June 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1986, 18:29 local (23:29 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Hill, TX
- Coordinates: 32.580055, -96.950508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5801&lon=-96.9505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FPA22
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FPA22

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND LEVELING OFF AT 3000 FT MSL, THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. APRX 20 MINUTES INTO THE FLT A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD; HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTACTED POWER LINES DURING THE DESCENT. CONTROL OF THE ACFT WAS LOST AND THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, COMING TO REST INVERTED. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE ONLY DISCREPANCY NOTED WAS THE FINGER TIGHT FUEL LINE FITTINGS AT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE FITTINGS WERE LOOSE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. DURING THE TEST THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS BYPASSED DUE TO BROKEN FUEL LINES. THEREFORE, IT WAS NOT DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT THE LOOSE FITTINGS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER EXPERIENCED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23RY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23RY-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 1623 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RUTAN LONG-EZ
- Registry model: [Yarmey Robert B LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/yarmey-robert-b-long-ez) (registry code 05609ZN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1623
- Airframe hours: 170
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert B. Yarmey
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 1, 1986, 170 hours before
- Departed: CNW, WACO, TX
- Destination: ADS, ADDISON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 9,800 total, 170 in this make and model, 9,250 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19860614024219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860614024219A), Jun 14, 1986: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Cedar Hill, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Struck wires during forced landing causing a near vertical impact. Loose fuel line fittings.

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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