# NTSB MIA92LA106: Tomlinson Long EZ, N83BT, Lakeland, FL, April 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1992, 14:54 local (18:54 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Location: 28.0395° N, 81.9498° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lakeland, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0395&lon=-81.9498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33083
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33083/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA106

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PERFORM PRETAKEOFF PROCEDURES AND ASSURE THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S COMPLACENCY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,selector/valve - closed
  - procedures/directives - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, HE NOTICED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION, AND HE TURNED IT ON. THE ENGINE FAILED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83BT-2017-05-15), registration cancelled 2017-05-15, S/N 361, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TOMLINSON LONG EZ
- Registry model: [Tomlinson A C LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/tomlinson-a-c-long-ez) (registry code 056094G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 361
- Airframe hours: 152
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fred I. Mahan
- Registered owner: William Odum
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1992, 10 hours before
- Destination: COI, MERRITT ISLAND, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 437 total, 322 in this make and model, 394 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 1 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 19920407009169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920407009169A), Apr 7, 1992: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climb to cruise. Had fuel selector on off position. Unable restart. Struck fence forced landing.

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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