# NTSB SEA87LA177: Canton Rutan Long, N252BC, Port Townsend, WA, August 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1987, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Townsend, WA
- Coordinates: 48.030517, -122.839096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0305&lon=-122.8391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA177

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - separation (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT NOTED SLUGGISH ROTATION PERFORMANCE AND RETARDED THE THROTTLE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. WHEN HE REDUCED POWER THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED. HE REAPPLIED FULL POWER AND ABRUPT AFT STICK, TO EXECUTE RAPID ROTATION AND LIFT OFF. THE HAND GRIP SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL STICK. HE ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE END OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A DITCH, CROSSED A ROAD AND IMPACTED IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N252BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N252BC-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 1387 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CANTON RUTAN LONG
- Registry model: [Caton Bob G LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/caton-bob-g-long-ez) (registry code 05609YV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1387
- Airframe hours: 124
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bob G. Caton
- Registered owner: Bob G. Gaton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1986
- Airport: 0S9, Jefferson County, runway 9, 3,300 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 167 total, 124 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLM, 27 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 19870826066109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870826066109A), Aug 26, 1987: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Port Townsend, WA, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff after abort. Then elected to go and aborted again at end of runway. Ran off end and crashed

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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