# NTSB ATL99LA096: Rutan VERI-EZE, N80SH, Enterprise, AL, May 21, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1999, 19:35 local (May 21, 1999, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Enterprise, AL
- Coordinates: 31.319871, -85.839714 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3199&lon=-85.8397&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 June 23, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA096

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to remove covers from the fuel tank vent which resulted in fuel starvation.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he had forgotten to remove the fuel vent cover during his preflight inspection. Shortly after takeoff the engine lost power and the airplane collided with the ground during a forced landing. Damage consisted of the nose gear, propeller and vertical stabilizer.  No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.

## Factual narrative

On May 20, 1999, at 1935 central daylight time, a Rutan Vari-Eze homebuilt airplane, N80SH, collided with the ground and nosed over shortly after takeoff from the Enterprise Airport, in Enterprise, Alabama. The airplane was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The flight departed Enterprise, Alabama, at 1930.

According to the pilot, he had forgotten to remove the fuel vent cover during his preflight inspection. Shortly after takeoff the engine lost power and the airplane collided with the ground during a forced landing. Damage consisted of the nose gear, propeller and vertical stabilizer.

No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80SH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80SH), registered now, S/N 399, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RUTAN VERI-EZE
- Registry model: [Hancock Seth E RUTAN VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/hancock-seth-e-rutan-varieze) (registry code 05609DQ) (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: 399
- Airframe hours: 625
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald Jack Reynolds
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1999, 18 hours before
- Departed: EDN
- Airport: EDN, Enterprise

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,860 total, 66 in this make and model, 3,584 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANB, 138 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 19990520026209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990520026209A), May 20, 1999: Amtr VARIEZE, Enterprise, AL, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot reported that he had forgotten to remove the fuel vent cover during his preflight inspection. Shortly after takeoff the engine lost power and…

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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