# NTSB CHI90DEP11: Varga Kachina 2150A, N8422J, Neenah, WI, September 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1990, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Neenah, WI
- Coordinates: 44.159637, -88.47097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1596&lon=-88.4710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEP11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEP11

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE FUEL SUPPLY, AND HIS FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE, SOFT TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE AND ON TOUCHDOWN IN A SOFT FIELD THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF USABLE FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD INTENTIONALLY BEEN OPERATING THE AIRCRAFT IN A LOW FUEL STATE IN ORDER TO HAVE THE FUEL VALVES INSPECTED, WHICH HE STATED COULD NOT BE DONE WITH FULL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8422J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8422J-2007-04-02), registration cancelled 2007-04-02, S/N VAC-167-80, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Varga KACHINA 2150A (KACHINA 21)
- Registry model: [Varga 2150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/varga-2150a) (registry code 9350102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: VAC-167-80
- Airframe hours: 774
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Courtney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: ATW, APPLETON, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 357 total, 220 in this make and model, 295 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATW, 7 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 19900922041729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900922041729A), Sep 22, 1990: Varga 2150AMORISY, Neenah, WI, Substantial damage. Departed low fuel, engine quit on climbout due fuel exhaustion. Aircraft nosed over on forced landing in soft ground

## Other investigations on N8422J (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI04LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA185), Jul 17, 2004: Varga 2150A (N8422J), Winterset, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor, fuel starvation, visual/aural detection precluded by the certified flight instructor's seat position, and the inadequate crew…

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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