# NTSB MIA89LA256: Cooley LONG-EZ, N711KD, Green Cove Spgs, FL, September 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1989, 13:04 local (17:04 UTC)
- Place: Green Cove Spgs, FL
- Coordinates: 29.980739, -81.669403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9807&lon=-81.6694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32507/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA256

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE (OR INABILITY) TO ALIGN THE ACFT WITH THE RUNWAY DURING THE LANDING.  THE LOW CEILING, TAILWIND, AND DITCH WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT FLEW TO ANOTHER ARPT & MADE TOUCH & GO LNDGS. HE RPRTD THAT WHEN HE RETURNED, THERE WAS A LOW CEILING, BUT HE COULD SEE THE ARPT FROM SVRL MILES AWAY. DURING AN ATTEMPT TO LAND ON RWY 17, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A GRASS COVERED DRAINAGE DITCH TO THE RIGHT OF THE RWY. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE ACFT OUT OF THE DITCH. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT A CULVERT & WAS EXTENSIVELY DMGD. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THE CEILING WAS 300' & THE WIND WAS FROM 360 DEG AT 8 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N711KD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N711KD-1989-12-07), registration cancelled 1989-12-07, S/N 1147 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COOLEY LONG-EZ
- Registry model: [Cooley Kenneth LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/cooley-kenneth-long-ez) (registry code 05690B3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1147
- Airframe hours: 150
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth J. Cooley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 21, 1989, 50 hours before
- Airport: 7FL1, Haller Airpark, runway 17, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft broken

## 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 19890924035839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890924035839A), Sep 24, 1989: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Green Cove Spri, FL, Destroyed. Landed downwind off side of runway in wet grass. Aricraft destroyed by impacting ditches.

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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