# NTSB LAX87DVM05: Scharschmidt LONG-EZ, N99LE, Paso Robles, CA, July 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1987, 13:54 local (20:54 UTC)
- Place: Paso Robles, CA
- Coordinates: 35.609912, -120.760719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6099&lon=-120.7607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DVM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVM05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKE-OFF ON RUNWAY 01 THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. HAVING GAINED 500' AGL THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN 180 DEGREES AND LAND ON RUNWAY 19. REALIZING HE WOULDN'T MAKE IT TO RUNWAY 19, THE PILOT DECIDED TO ATTEMPT TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD TO THE NORTH. THE PILOT SAID HE 'SAW WIRES (POWERLINES) AT LAST RECORD- COULDN'T AVOID, HIT POLE WITH OUTER 3' OF WING. CRASHED IN FIELD 75' FROM POLE.' THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99LE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99LE-1991-05-16), registration cancelled 1991-05-16, S/N 725149030 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHARSCHMIDT LONG-EZ
- Registry model: [Scharschmidt H J LONGEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/scharschmidt-h-j-longeze) (registry code 056097R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 275149080
- Airframe hours: 62
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howard J. Scharscmidt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1987, 3 hours before
- Departed: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA
- Destination: MRY, MONTEREY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 184 total, 62 in this make and model, 184 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRB, 2 nm away

## 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 19870726038709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870726038709A), Jul 26, 1987: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Paso Robles, CA, Substantial damage. The engine lost power on takeoff. The aircraft hit a pole on landing. Suspect carburatetor float problem.

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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