Carlstrom LONG EZ N78LC
10 July 2005 · Lewes, Delaware, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 10 July 2005 at about 14:52 local time, a Carlstrom LONG EZ registered N78LC, operated by Jay Blum, was involved in an accident near Lewes, Delaware, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:52
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Lewes, Delaware, United States
- Coordinates
- 38.7967, -75.0983
- Aircraft
- Carlstrom LONG EZ
- Registration
- N78LC
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Jay Blum
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Air Race/Show
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Georgetown → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC05FA117
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The Long EZ pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the RV-8 airplane, which resulted in a mid-air collision during a formation flight.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The accident airplanes were part of a group of six experimental airplanes practicing a formation flight routine for an upcoming airshow. The airplanes had just completed a "six ship opposing" maneuver, in which the airplanes flew towards each other in two groups of three airplanes. The group containing the accident airplanes was assembled with a lead airplane in front (the RV-8 airplane) and two additional airplanes aligned behind and to each side of the lead (in a "triangle" formation). The Long EZ was the airplane behind and to the right of the RV-8. The "six ship opposing" maneuver was performed without any abnormality, and approximately 3 seconds later, the Long EZ and lead RV-8 collided. Both aircraft subsequently impacted the water beneath them. Examination of several videotapes and a digital photograph revealed that the Long EZ airplane was above the RV-8 and out of position in the moments prior to the collision. No pre-impact mechanical deficiencies were noted with either airplane.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlstrom LONG EZ | N78LC | Jay Blum | Destroyed |
| Morgan RV-8 | N899RM | - | Destroyed |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Nov 2005 | Cessna 172S | Laurel, Delaware, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 May 2005 | Piper PA-28-140 | Dover, Delaware, United States | Ace Pilot Training Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 Jul 2005 | Piper PA-28-181 | Georgetown, Delaware, United States | - | Fatal | - |
| 1 Aug 2005 | Grumman G-164A | Felton, Delaware, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Jun 2006 | Cessna 150H | Smyrna, Delaware, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Dec 2006 | Bell 407 | Dagsboro, Delaware, United States | Heloair Inc | Fatal | 2 |