# NTSB NYC88DHA02: Gribosh LONG-EZ, N814EZ, Perkasie, PA, February 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1988, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Perkasie, PA
- Coordinates: 40.370609, -75.290321 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3706&lon=-75.2903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88DHA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88DHA02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate control location, production/design personnel (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED ON ITS SECOND TEST FLIGHT AFTER MANUFACTURE. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE ENGINE 'MAKING POWER CHANGES' AND 'SURGING' WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS MANEUVERING AT 30 TO 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. ALSO, THEY REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE BANKED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND FELL TO THE GROUND.  A POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK CONTAINED ONLY TRACES OF FUEL, WHILE THE RIGHT TANK HELD AN ESTIMATED 8 TO 9 GALLONS. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS DISCOVERED TO BE 'JAMMED' IN A POSITION BETWEEN THE LEFT & RIGHT DETENTS; INVESTIGATORS WERE ABLE TO LOOSEN THE SELECTOR, BUT IT REQUIRED 'EXCESSIVE FORCE AND TWO HANDS.' THE PILOT WAS FOUND ABOUT 9 FEET FROM THE WRECKAGE; BOTH THE SEAT BELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS WERE UNBUCKLED. INVESTIGATORS NOTED THAT THE PILOT COULD NOT REACH THE FUEL SELECTOR WITH THE SHOULDER HARNESS SECURED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N814EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N814EZ-1991-05-08), registration cancelled 1991-05-08, S/N 703 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRIBOSH LONG-EZ
- Registry model: [Gribosh Joseph LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/gribosh-joseph-long-ez) (registry code 0569006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 703-1
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph E. Gribosh
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 2, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: N70
- Airport: N70, Pennridge, runway 8, 4,265 × 100 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 116 total, 1 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880209002149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880209002149A), Feb 9, 1988: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Perkasie, PA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Appears left tank ran dry. Unfastened belt to turn valve to full tank. Selector jammed. Lost control of aircraft.

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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