Rutan LONGEZ N29TM

Summary

On 19 August 2023 at about 12:20 local time, a Rutan LONGEZ registered N29TM was involved in an accident near Genoa Township, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 August 2023 at 12:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Genoa Township, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

42.5351, -83.7971

Aircraft

Rutan LONGEZ

Registration

N29TM

Category

Airplane

Year built

1987

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pontiac → Covington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN23LA371

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while climbing to cruise altitude after takeoff, the engine suddenly lost total power. He attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful, and subsequently conducted a forced landing into a pond. While maneuvering, the airplane impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The magnetos had evidence of exposure to high temperature; however, both magnetos functioned when bench tested. Blast tubes for magneto cooling were installed, but the effectiveness of the blast tubes could not be determined. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.