# NTSB MIA85LA142: Canard Long EZ, N280EZ, Crystal River, FL, April 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1985, 11:23 local (16:23 UTC)
- Place: Crystal River, FL
- Location: 28.8955° N, 82.6019° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Crystal River, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8955&lon=-82.6019&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): 31384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA142

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - low pass - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AT LOW LEVEL HE COLLIDED WITH SOME POWER LINES, SEVERING HIS MAIN LANDING GEAR & ONE HALF OF HIS LEFT WINGLET. HE THEN CONTINUED ABOUT 4 MILES FURTHER LANDING IN A CLEAR AREA ON THE CRYSTAL RIVER POWER PLANT PROPERTY & SLID APRX 50 YARDS BEFORE HE STOPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N280EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N280EZ-1988-04-12), registration cancelled 1988-04-12, S/N 588 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CANARD, INC. LONG EZ
- Registry model: [Canard LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/canard-long-ez) (registry code 056092J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 588
- Airframe hours: 240
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Canard Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1984
- Departed: OCF, OCALA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 447 total, 220 in this make and model, 379 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 30 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 19850405010919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850405010919A), Apr 5, 1985: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Crystal River, FL, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines while flying at low altitude. Main gear severed. Landed in clear area.

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.