# NTSB CHI91DER03: Varieze 001, N87VE, Superior, WI, April 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1991, 22:08 local (Apr 19, 1991, 03:08 UTC)
- Place: Superior, WI
- Coordinates: 46.669387, -92.079666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6694&lon=-92.0797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DER03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE IMPACTED TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE SHORT OF THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. INVESTIGATORS FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87VE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87VE-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VARIEZE 001
- Registry model: [Langley James H LANGLEY VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/langley-james-h-langley-vari-eze) (registry code 05690F1) (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: 001
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael James Undis
- Registered owner: Michael James Undis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: SUW, Superior

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 800 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 9° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLH, 12 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 19910418011469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910418011469A), Apr 18, 1991: Amtrru VARIEZE, Superior, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted ground short of airport at dark night. No fuel in carburator or fuel lines. No other details.

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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