Amateur-built LONGEZ accident near Genoa Township, Michigan, August 19, 2023
On August 19, 2023 at about 12:20 pm local time, a 1987 amateur-built LONGEZ, registered N29TM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Genoa Township, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 2023 · about 12:20 pm local time
- Place
- Genoa Township, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LONGEZ, built 1987
- Registration
- N29TM · registry record · serial 729
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
- Ditching during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 26,700 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 15,500 as pilot in command; 2,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 1, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,340 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 10, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320 (piston); 600 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PTK Pontiac MI at 11:45 am
- Destination: M04 Covington TN
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 am from KOZW, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KOZW 191215Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 13/12 A3012 RMK AO2 T01290115
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on January 14, 2025. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Examination Notes | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | E-mag Installation Manual Excerpt | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum for Record A�� E-mag Bench Test | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | E Mag Bench Test | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.