# NTSB SEA90LA095: Grace Long EZ, N9175Y, La Grande, OR, June 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1990, 18:30 local (Jun 11, 1990, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: La Grande, OR
- Coordinates: 45.32014, -118.199768 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3201&lon=-118.1998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA095

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION WHICH RESULTED FROM THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON RWY 34 AND WAS CLIMBING AT APPROX 40 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED UNIMPROVED TERRAIN OFF THE AIRPORT. POST-ACCIDENT TEST REVEALED THE AUTO FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONTAMINATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9175Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9175Y-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 1395 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRACE LONG EZ
- Registry model: [Grace Alvin Earl LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/grace-alvin-earl-long-ez) (registry code 05690L2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1395
- Airframe hours: 141
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alvin E. Grace
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1989, 27 hours before
- Airport: LGD, La Grande

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 257 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGD, 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 19900610019399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900610019399A), Jun 10, 1990: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, La Grande, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on climbout. Damage indicates a stall then occurred. Contaminated auto fuel in aircraft fueled by cans.

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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