Amateur-built LONG EZ accident near Mcgregor, Texas, November 30, 2014
On November 30, 2014 at about 6:48 pm local time, a 1989 amateur-built LONG EZ, registered N7015T, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Mcgregor, Texas (Mc Gregor Executive airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power during takeoff due to excessive debris in the fuel system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 30, 2014 · about 6:48 pm local time
- Place
- Mcgregor, Texas · Mc Gregor Executive · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LONG EZ, built 1989
- Registration
- N7015T · no longer on the register · serial 1426
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The noncertificated pilot was taking off from the airport. A witness reported that, immediately after the airplane became airborne, it began flying erratically and that he then heard the pilot make a radio call, during which the pilot stated that he was aborting the takeoff because the cockpit canopy had opened. The airplane descended and struck a vehicle on a highway near the south end of the airport. The airplane then impacted trees and terrain and came to rest inverted. Emergency responders reported that the pilot told them that he had climbed the airplane to a maximum of 100 to 200 ft when the engine lost power. An on-scene examination revealed that the airplane was extensively fragmented; all of the airplane's major components were located at the accident site. Both fuel tanks were breached, which resulted in a fuel spill but no postimpact fire. The cockpit canopy frame was observed mostly intact and partially impact-separated. The inside canopy latch was observed latched and locked. Both propeller blades were separated near the propeller hub and did not exhibit evidence of significant power at impact. An engine examination revealed that there was excessive debris in the gascolator bowl and corrosion on the gasket mating surface; the gascolator housing exhibited excessive wear and had a rusty, rough surface. The excessive debris in the fuel system likely restricted the fuel flow to the engine and resulted in the subsequent total loss of engine power during takeoff.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft inspection event during prior to flight
- Cabin safety event during takeoff
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Loss of control in flight during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Part(s) separation from AC during post (impact)
- Roll over during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Flight time: 36 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 231 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 1, 2014; 12 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,325 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 L2C (piston); 1,631 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PWG Mcgregor TX at 6:48 pm
- Destination: 68F Teague TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 5,501 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 21 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,900 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from KPWG, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on December 22, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorandum That 6120.1 Form Was Not Completed | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Summary of Findings | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maps | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Summary | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photos | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.