Amateur-built EXTRA LONG EZ accident near Kenosha, Wisconsin, April 11, 1986
On April 11, 1986 at about 5:10 pm local time, a amateur-built EXTRA LONG EZ, registered N123AE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kenosha, Wisconsin (Kenosha airport). 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
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 1986 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Kenosha, Wisconsin · Kenosha · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built EXTRA LONG EZ EXTRA LONG
- Registration
- N123AE · registry record · serial 1-1275
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING AN APCH TO LAND, THE ENG OF THE HOME BUILT ACFT LOST POWER. THE PLT TRIED TO RESTART THE ENG BY USING THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT WAS UNABLE. HE TURNED TO LAND IN A PASTURE, BUT THE ACFT HIT AN ELECTRICAL WIRE & CAME TO REST IN A ROW OF TREES. THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE TOOK OFF WITH FUEL IN BOTH TANKS, BUT ONLY USED FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT AFTER THE ACDNT REVEALED THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 170 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 70 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,325 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: ENW Kenosha WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 4,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from MKE, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.