# NTSB CHI92DEX01: James D. Bierly VARI-EZ, N64SJ, Jeffersonville, IN, May 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1992, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Jeffersonville, IN
- Coordinates: 38.299613, -85.719917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2996&lon=-85.7199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15253
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DEX01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15253/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DEX01

## Probable cause

A COLLAPSED CARBURETOR AIR INTAKE DUCT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE SOFT, UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, go-around (vfr)
  - induction air ducting - collapsed (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN THE TOUCH-AND-GO PATTERN USING RWY 36 WHEN A SLOWER ACFT GOT IN THE PATTERN AHEAD OF HIM. THE PILOT EXECUTED A GO-AROUND, AND APPLIED FULL THROTTLE. WHILE CLIMBING OUT THE ENGINE QUIT COMPLETELY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING ON RWY 14. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY ON SOFT SOD, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, AND AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT FLEXIBLE CARBURETOR AIR INTAKE DUCT HAD COMPLETELY COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64SJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64SJ), registered now, S/N 1854, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JAMES D. BIERLY VARI-EZ
- Registry model: [Bierly James D VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/bierly-james-d-varieze) (registry code 056096E) (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: 1854
- Airframe hours: 275
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James D. Bierly
- Registered owner: James D. Bierly
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 15, 1991
- Departed: JVY
- Destination: JVY
- Airport: JVY, Jefersonville, runway 36, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 478 total, 275 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 35,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920520015519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920520015519A), May 20, 1992: Amtrru VARIEZE, Jeffersonville, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on go around from a blocked landing. Nosed over landing adjacent to runway. Carb air duct collapsed.

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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