# NTSB LAX94LA097: Clunis Long EZ, N345KJ, Camarillo, CA, January 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 16, 1994, 16:02 local (Jan 17, 1994, 00:02 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.230648, -119.070182 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2306&lon=-119.0702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28639 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28639/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA097 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of the brake system which resulted in a failure of the right brake due to excessive heat glazing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,partial (cause) - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll he had planned to make a turn-off at a taxiway about 2,000 feet from the touchdown point. After touchdown, he began braking and angling toward the turn-off. As the aircraft approached the turn-off, the pilot realized that the aircraft was traveling too fast and applied right brake only to realign the aircraft with the runway. The right brake malfunctioned and the aircraft continued straight, veered left off the runway, and collapsed the nose landing gear during an encounter with soft plowed soil. The pilot reported that the right brake failed due to glazing of the pad. ## Factual narrative On January 16, 1994, at 1602 hours Pacific standard time, a homebuilt experimental Clunis Long EZ airplane, N345KJ, veered off the runway, ground looped, and collapsed the landing gear while landing at the Camarillo, California, airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 1500 hours at Santa Maria, California, on the day of the mishap as a cross country flight to Camarillo. In his written statement, the pilot reported that during the landing roll he had planned to make a turn-off at a taxiway about 2,000 feet from the touchdown point. After touchdown, he began braking and angling toward the turn-off. As the aircraft approached the turn-off, the pilot realized that the aircraft was traveling too fast and applied right brake only to realign the aircraft with the runway. The right brake malfunctioned and the aircraft continued straight, veered left off the runway, and collapsed the nose landing gear during an encounter with soft plowed soil. The pilot reported that the right brake failed due to glazing of the pad. ## Aircraft - Registration: N345KJ (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CLUNIS LONG EZ - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 345 - Airframe hours: 850 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Theodore Off - Registered owner: Kenneth Clunis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1993, 35 hours before - Departed: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA - Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 26, 6,010 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 965 total, 23 in this make and model, 901 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CMA ## 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 19940116000469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940116000469A), Jan 16, 1994: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. Braked heavily to turn off on taxiway on landing. Right brake failed. Ground looped to left. Brake glazed by heat. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.