# Accident 20200809013869A: Page/Le Master VARI-EZE, Cantil, CA, August 9, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 9, 2020, 08:00 local time
- Place: Cantil, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.4478° N, 118.0719° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4478&lon=-118.0719&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2ZE, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2ZE-2023-05-17) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Page/Le Master VARI-EZE (registry code 056091F, https://openairdocs.org/model/page-le-master-vari-eze) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-200 series (registry code 17020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PAGE/LE MASTER VARI-EZE
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR20LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA259) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200809013869A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON AUGUST 9, 2020, AT 0800 PDT, A PAGE/LE MASTER, VARI-EZE SINGLE ENGINE, EXPERIMENTAL, AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE, N2ZE, WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT CRASHED IN THE MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE NEAR KELSO, CA.

THE AREA WAS REMOTE AND OUT OF CELL PHONE COVERAGE, AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER BOTH WALKED FROM THE CRASH SITE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR, THEY FOUND SOMEONE IN A TRUCK WHO DROVE THEM TO AN AREA OF CELL PHONE COVERAGE. THEY CALLED THEIR WIFE?S, WHO PICKED THEM UP AND DROVE THEM TO THE RIDGECREST REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN RIDGECREST, CA.

THE PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURY AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURY .THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATED AS A 14 CFR PART 91 PERSONAL FLIGHT.  THE PILOT STATED HE DEPARTED CALIFORNIA CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (L71), CALIFORNIA CITY, CALIFORNIA, WITH 16 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD. ABOUT ONE HOUR AFTER THE DEPARTURE, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE WINGS TO THE CENTER TANK AND THE ENGINE REGAINED POWER FOR 30 SECONDS BEFORE IT LOST POWER. THE PILOT MANIPULATED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM CENTER TANK TO WING TANKS AND BACK TO CENTER TANK ONLY TO EXPERIENCE AN ADDITIONAL 20 SECONDS OF REGAINED ENGINE POWER. AFTER THREE FAILED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE PILOT DECIDED TO EXECUTE AN EMERGENCY LANDING INSIDE A RAVINE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR20LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA259), Aug 9, 2020: Rutan Vari EZE (N2ZE), Kelso Valley, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to secure the fuel cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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