# NTSB LAX88DXQ01: Pugh LONG-EZ, N38EZ, Newell, CA, October 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1987, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Newell, CA
- Coordinates: 41.799728, -121.459342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7997&lon=-121.4593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DXQ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25777/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DXQ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PLT NOTED THAT THE WIND SOCK WAS 'WHIPPING & WAS ABOUT 3/4 FULL.'  HE SAID THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, HE MADE A FLYBY AT ABOUT 50' AGL, WITH AN AIRSPEED OF ABOUT 150 MPH. HE THEN ENTERED A STEEP CLIMBING RIGHT TURN. THE PLT ESTIMATED THAT AT ABOUT 400' AGL, THE ACFT 'FELL OFF AS IN A STALL.'  HE INITIATED CORRECTIVE ACTION, BUT THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE HI ATTITUDE DURING RECOVERY. THE PLT BELIEVED THE ACFT ENCTRD WINDSHEAR OR A DOWNDRAFT WHEN HE LOST CONTROL. HE RPRTD THE SURFACE WIND WAS FROM 170 DEG AT 15 GUSTING 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38EZ-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 927, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PUGH LONG-EZ
- Registry model: [Pugh Robert C LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/pugh-robert-c-long-ez) (registry code 05609WX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 927
- Airframe hours: 288
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Moore, Robert L.
- Registered owner: Moore, Robert L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 081
- Airport: 081, Tulelake Muni, runway 29, 3,577 × 44 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 424 total, 238 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19871017059939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871017059939A), Oct 17, 1987: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Newell, CA, Destroyed. Witness stated aircraft buzzed runway then did a roll on climbout. Aircraft fell out of bottom of roll and crashed.

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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