Amateur-built LONG-EZ accident near Camarillo, California, July 11, 1994
On July 11, 1994 at about 8:44 pm local time, a amateur-built LONG-EZ, registered N353H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Camarillo, California (Camarillo 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
fuel starvation due to improper fuel management by the pilot.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 1994 · about 8:44 pm local time
- Place
- Camarillo, California · Camarillo · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LONG-EZ
- Registration
- N353H · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot said that about 2 miles from the airport he heard the engine 'missing,' and shortly thereafter, it 'began to die.' He made a radio call to the tower reporting engine problems and was cleared for an approach to either runway. The pilot stated that as he approached the airport, he felt uncertain whether or not he had sufficient altitude to reach the runway, but continued in that direction. The aircraft landed in a field 2,000 feet from the runway and came to rest inverted. A postaccident inspection revealed only a few teaspoons of fuel in the carburetor and gascolator. Less than 2 gallons of fuel was found in the left tank, while the right tank contained 5 to 6 gallons. The fuel selector was found on the left tank. The pilot said he took off with the fuel selector on the left tank and did not switch tanks at any point during the flight.
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: 105 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 63 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 317 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 19, 1994; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,325 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 8, 6,010 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:44 pm from CMA
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.