Saturday, May 11, 2019

Hard Landing: Rutan Long-EZ, N5RJ, accident occurred September 19, 2018 at Independence State Airport (7S5), Polk County, Oregon

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Oregon

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


https://registry.faa.gov/N5RJ





Location: Independence, OR
Accident Number: GAA18CA562
Date & Time: 09/19/2018, 0723 PDT
Registration: N5RJ
Aircraft: Rutan RUTAN LONG EZ
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot in the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that during his third touch-and-go landing, the airplane's airspeed was fast, and the airplane landed hard. The airplane's nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest upright.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 87, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None 
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/01/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/01/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 3000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 28 hours (Total, this make and model), 8 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Rutan
Registration: N5RJ
Model/Series: RUTAN LONG EZ No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1996
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 739
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/19/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1325 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 628 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91  installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-320
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSLE, 201 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1456 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 75°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:  No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Independence, OR (7S5)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Independence, OR (7S5)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0700 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: INDEPENDENCE STATE (7S5)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 180 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 34
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3142 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 44.866944, -123.198333 (est)

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