# NTSB ATL85LA209: William G. Cloaninger VARI-EZE, N450Z, Albemarle, NC, July 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1985, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Albemarle, NC
- Coordinates: 35.360244, -80.189254 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3602&lon=-80.1893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA209

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
- Complete gear collapsed, landing

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AS THE PLT MADE A LEFT TURN. HE TRIED TO GLIDE BACK TO THE RWY, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN A FIELD ABOUT 300 YDS SHORT OF THE RWY. DURING THE LANDING, ALL 3 GEAR WERE TORN OFF THE ACFT, AND THE FUSELAGE, A FUEL TANK & THE CANOPY WERE CRACKED. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY WATER IN THE CARBURETOR. ALSO HE STATED THAT HE HAD CHECKED BOTH FUEL TANKS BEFORE HE TOOK OFF; AFTER THE ACDNT, HE CHECKED THE FUEL BOWL & IT WAS FULL OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N450Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N450Z-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N 245481059 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WILLIAM G. CLOANINGER VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Cloaninger William G VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/cloaninger-william-g-vari-eze) (registry code 05609XE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 245481059
- Airframe hours: 26
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William G. Cloaninger
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1985, 26 hours before
- Departed: 6A6
- Airport: 6A6, Stanley County, runway 4, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 235 total, 26 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850709033999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850709033999A), Jul 9, 1985: Amtrru VARIEZE, Albermarle, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff. Landed short gliding back to runway. Gear torn off. Fuel bowl full of water.

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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