# NTSB NYC85FNE01: Marr/Eckburg Long EZE, N49EZ, Waterbury, CT, March 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1985, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Waterbury, CT
- Location: 41.4783° N, 73.1352° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WATERBURY-OXFORD (OXC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4783&lon=-73.1352&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FNE01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35621/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FNE01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT SHORT OF RWY 36 AFTER A LOSS OF PWR ON FINAL APPROACH. THE PLT SAID HE WAS OPERATING ON THE RT TANK WHEN THE ENG QUIT. HE IMMEDIATELY AWITCHED TO THE LEFT TANK AND ACTIVATED THE BOOST PUMP. THE PROP HAD STOPPED AND THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A STARTER. THE PLT LATER SAID HE NOTICED A RISE IN FUEL PRESSURE BUT DUE TO LACK OF ROTATION THE ENG DID NOT START. THE POST ACC EXAM REVEALED 8 GALS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT ENG AND NONE IN THE RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N49EZ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MARR/ECKBURG LONG EZE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2001
- Airframe hours: 11
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marr Richard, Eckberg,Donald
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1985, 11 hours before
- Departed: 4B8, PLAINVILLE, CT
- Destination: OXC, WATERBURY, CT
- Airport: OXC, Waterbury/Oxford, runway 36, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 95 total, 42 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDR

## 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 19850319008179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850319008179A), Mar 19, 1985: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Waterbury, CT, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final. Aircraft landed short of runway striking an embankment. Pilot failed to change fuel tanks.

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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