# NTSB CHI86FER17: Eugene Boos VARI-EZE, N41EB, Rice Lake, WI, August 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1986, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Rice Lake, WI
- Coordinates: 45.490154, -91.730949 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4902&lon=-91.7309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FER17
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FER17

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE ENGINE OF THIS HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. THE PILOT TURNED TOWARD AN AIRFIELD APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES AWAY, BUT WAS FORCED TO PERFORM A FORCED LANDING ABOUT 5 MILES SHORT OF THIS FIELD BECAUSE, FOLLOWING A LOUD METALLIC BANG, THE ENGINE STOPPED. A RESTART WAS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THE AIRCRAFT DOES NOT HAVE A STARTER. AN ENGINE EXAMINATION FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT REVEALED A LOOSE OIL FILLER CAP (WITH 1 QT OF OIL REMAINING IN THE ENGINE) AND NOTHING ELSE UNUSUAL. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE TEST RUN DUE TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A STEEL STORAGE TANK DURING LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N41EB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EUGENE BOOS VARI-EZE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 855
- Airframe hours: 325
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eugene L. Boos
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 21, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: 73C, LANCASTER, WI
- Destination: HYR, HAYWARD, WI
- Airport: RIE, Rice Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 310 total, 168 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIE, 1 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 19860830043429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860830043429A), Aug 30, 1986: Amtrru VARIEZE, Rice Lake, WI, Destroyed. Engine failed en route. Oil cap found at the bottom of oil coated engine compartment. Struck a tank during landing.

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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