# NTSB DEN90DTE02: Bruce Mckinney VARI-EZE, N4985Z, Aspen, CO, November 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1989, 12:18 local (19:18 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.190414, -106.820487 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1904&lon=-106.8205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90DTE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90DTE02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.  A RELATED FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AND HAD MADE TWO STOPS WITHOUT REFUELING. AFTER TAKEOFF ON THE THIRD LEG, HE RADIOED THAT HE HAD AN EMERGENCY AND WAS RETURNING. THE NATURE OF THE EMERGENCY WAS NOT BROADCAST. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN AND CRASHED ON A LEDGE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4985Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4985Z-1992-12-15), registration cancelled 1992-12-15, S/N 427 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRUCE MCKINNEY VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Mckinney-Bruce VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/mckinney-bruce-varieze) (registry code 05609V7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 427
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank E. Gernert
- Departed: ASE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 687 total, 466 in this make and model, 466 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ASE, 1 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 19891124046579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891124046579A), Nov 24, 1989: Amtrru VARIEZE, Aspen, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Declared emergency on climbout. Seen to dive out of steep turn. No fuel on board. Was fueled nose down. Not full.

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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