# NTSB LAX93LA069: Lydick LONG-EZ, N777CJ, Tucson, AZ, December 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1992, 17:35 local (Dec 18, 1992, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.19902, -110.950019 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1990&lon=-110.9500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA069

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED OR POWER SETTING SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN ENGINE ROTATION DURING THE LOW SPEED DEMONSTRATION.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO AFFECT AN ENGINE RESTART ONCE THE PROPELLER STOPPED TURNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT WAS BEING DEMONSTRATED BY THE PILOT TO A POTENTIAL BUYER, WHO WAS A PASSENGER IN THE REAR TANDEM SEAT. THE ENGINE DID NOT HAVE AN ELECTRIC STARTER INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING THE LOW SPEED HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIRCRAFT AT AN ALTITUDE HE ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 3,000 FEET AGL. THE PILOT BROUGHT THE THROTTLE TO IDLE, AND, AS THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED, THE ENGINE CEASED TO RUN AND THE PROPELLER STOPPED TURNING. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO AFFECT AN AIRSTART OF THE ENGINE AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES SECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT AN AIRSPEED OF 70 KNOTS OR MORE IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ENGINE ROTATION AT IDLE.  THE MANUAL FURTHER STATES THAT THE ENGINE STOPS TURNING, A DIVE SPEED OF 130 KNOTS OR MORE IS REQUIRED TO REGAIN ENGINE ROTATION WITH AN ALTITUDE LOSS OF GREATER THAN 2,000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777CJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777CJ-1993-05-26), registration cancelled 1993-05-26, S/N 1114 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LYDICK LONG-EZ
- Registry model: [Lydick Clark LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/lydick-clark-long-ez) (registry code 056097D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1114
- Airframe hours: 588
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert E. Anderson
- Registered owner: Robert E. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1992, 28 hours before
- Destination: RYN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RYN, 6 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 19921217050819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921217050819A), Dec 17, 1992: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Tucson, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on slow flight demo. No starter. Crashed trying for a road. Engine wouldn't idle below 70 mph.

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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