# NTSB LAX83LA304: Rutan LONG-EZ-B, N1695H, Corning, CA, June 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1983, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Corning, CA
- Coordinates: 39.919723, -122.279106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9197&lon=-122.2791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA304
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA304

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & PASSENGER WERE PARTICIPATING IN THE CAFE 400 EFFICIENCY RACE. SHORTLY AFTER PASSING A CHECK POINT, A PORTION OF 1 PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED & THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ENG. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY BY MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR OVER AN OVERPASS & HAD TO GO UNDER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN EARLY. BEFORE STOPPING, THE CANARD HIT & SCRATCHED AN AUTOMOBILE & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE CENTER DIVIDER OF THE HIGHWAY, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR & DAMAGING THE CANARD. THE PROPELLER WAS MADE FROM WOOD & WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR RACING. THE TIP & OUTBOARD TRAILING EDGE OF THE FAILED BLADE HAD SPLIT & SEPARATED. REPORTEDLY, THE PROPELLER HAD BEEN FLOWN THRU DRIVING RAIN AT FULL POWER. ACCORDING TO A SERVICE MANAGER OF A PROPELLER MANUFACTURING FIRM, THE BLADE FAILURE MAY HAVE ORIGINATED WHERE IT WAS STRUCK BY AN OBJECT, BUT THIS WAS NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1695H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: RUTAN LONG-EZ-B
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 069
- Airframe hours: 859
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard G. Rutan
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1983, 4 hours before
- Departed: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 550 total, 218 in this make and model, 353 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK, 100 nm away

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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