# NTSB CHI85LA113: Rutan Varieze, N101MW, Mt. Vernon, IL, February 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1985, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Vernon, IL
- Coordinates: 38.30931, -88.909103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3093&lon=-88.9091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA113

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - fatigue (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate airframe, manufacturer (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - failure,total (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,manufacturer, manufacturer (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT LNDG GEAR COLLAPSED AFTER SEVERAL LNDGS. THE PLT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH & GO LNDGS AND COMPLETED 5 CIRCUITS. DURING THE 6TH LNDG THE MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED AT TOUCHDOWN. THE NOSE GEAR THEN COLLAPSED THIS MODEL VARIEZE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A LNDG GEAR THAT WAS FOUND TO BE TOO WEAK. LATER VERSIONS HAD AN IMPROVED SYSTEM WHICH WAS STRONGER. NO PROVISION TO MAKE THE CHANGE MADATORY HAD BEEN MADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N101MW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N101MW-2003-01-10), registration cancelled 2003-01-10, S/N 24, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RUTAN VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Wicks Organ RUTAN VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/wicks-organ-rutan-varieze) (registry code 0560929) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24
- Airframe hours: 295
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Martin A. Cox
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1984, 50 hours before
- Airport: MVN, Mt Vernon, runway 33, 3,149 × 100 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--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 680 total, 42 in this make and model, 624 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLV

## 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 19850217003619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850217003619A), Feb 17, 1985: Amtrru VARIEZE, Mt Vernon, IL, Substantial damage. Main landing gear collapsed on touchdown. Manufacturer has improved gear on later models.

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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