# NTSB CHI89DEC07: Rayne VARI-EZE, N20VR, Clinton, MI, September 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1989, 09:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Clinton, MI
- Coordinates: 42.060779, -83.969566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0608&lon=-83.9696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEC07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14180/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEC07

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED ACROSS A DIRT ROAD AND RAN INTO A FENCE BEFORE IT CAME TO REST IN A DITCH. THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS UNDETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20VR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20VR-1995-08-15), registration cancelled 1995-08-15, S/N JR200 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAYNE VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Rayne Joseph VIGGENITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/rayne-joseph-viggenite) (registry code 0560960) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JR 200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-C3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Rayne
- Registered owner: Joseph Rayne
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1989, 4 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CLINTON, MI
- Destination: JXN, JACKSON, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,884 total, 43 in this make and model, 1,884 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °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 19890904033349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890904033349A), Sep 4, 1989: Amtr VIGGENITE, Clinton, MI, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout,crash landed homebuilt gear up in open field. Hard ground impact broke pilots back.

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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