# NTSB CHI92DCQ05: Virgil Larson Varieze,LONG EZ, N18VL, Chanute, KS, July 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1992, 13:12 local (18:12 UTC)
- Place: Chanute, KS
- Coordinates: 37.669147, -95.480644 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6691&lon=-95.4806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCQ05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCQ05

## Probable cause

A DELAMINATION AND INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF A PROPELLER BLADE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - delamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE DEVELOPED A SEVERE VIBRATION DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. THE MAGNITUDE OF THE VIBRATION VARIED WITH THE POWER SETTING.  THE PILOT SUSPECTED A BROKEN PROPELLER OR ENGINE MOUNT.  HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A PASTURE.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION.  A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FOUND ALL ENGINE MOUNTS INTACT. THE WOODEN PROPELLER BROKE DURING THE GROUND IMPACT.  BOTH FIBER GLASS COVERS FOR THE PROPELLER TIPS WERE RECOVERED.  ONLY ONE COVER HAD WOOD ATTACHED TO IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18VL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18VL-2012-07-30), registration cancelled 2012-07-30, S/N 197, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VIRGIL LARSON VARIEZE,LONG EZ (VARIEZE,LO)
- Registry model: [Larson VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/larson-varieze) (registry code 05609F4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tad T. Hervas
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1992, 15 hours before
- Departed: FWS, FT. WORTH, TX
- Destination: TOP, TOPEKA, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 120 total, 15 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 17 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNU, 5 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 19920701023109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920701023109A), Jul 1, 1992: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Chanute, KS, Substantial damage. Severe vibration near destination. Elected land in pasture. Hit pipe and fence. Appears lost tip of wood prop blade

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.