# NTSB ATL85LA128: Varieze Duncan/Varieze, N9329A, Ocracoke, NC, March 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1985, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Ocracoke, NC
- Coordinates: 35.06945, -76.000335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0695&lon=-76.0003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA128

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - failure,total (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - inadequate, production/design personnel (cause)

## Analysis

DURING LANDING, THE TAB WHICH CONNECTS THE LANDING GEAR CROSS TUBE FAILED ALLOWING THE RIGHT GEAR TO COLLAPSE. THE ACFT HAS AN EXPERIMENTAL CERTIFICATE. THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE DUE TO DESIGN LIMITATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9329A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9329A), registered now, S/N 1291, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VARIEZE DUNCAN/VARIEZE (DUNCAN/VAR)
- Registry model: [Duncan-Wayne VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/duncan-wayne-varieze) (registry code 05609L1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1291
- Airframe hours: 232
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leonard Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1984, 91 hours before
- Departed: CHARLOTTE, NC
- Destination: W95, OCRACOKE, NC
- Airport: Ocra Coke-Island, runway 25, 3,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 355 total, 160 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HAT, 25 nm away

## 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 19850330011889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850330011889A), Mar 30, 1985: Amtrru VARIEZE, Ocracoke Island, NC, Substantial damage. Right landing gear collapsed on landing. Gear attachment fiberglass tab failed.

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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