# NTSB ATL85FKG07: Lett Varieze, N55VE, Sylacauga, AL, July 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1985, 09:58 local (14:58 UTC)
- Place: Sylacauga, AL
- Coordinates: 33.16983, -86.260131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1698&lon=-86.2601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FKG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FKG07

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED A PICK-UP TRUCK ON A HIGHWAY DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL VENT LINE WAS SEVERLY PACKED (BLOCKED) WITH MUD DOBBER MATERIAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N55VE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LETT VARIEZE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 677
- Airframe hours: 13
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack C Mitchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 14, 1985, 0 hours before
- Airport: SCD, Lee Merkle Fld

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 507 total, 19 in this make and model, 342 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Observed at: ANB

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850707029849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850707029849A), Jul 7, 1985: Amtrru VARIEZE, Sylacauga, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff. Struck truck during landing on road. Fuel vent line packed with mud dobber material.

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.

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