# NTSB DFW08LA135: Bailey Varieze, N6553C, Phillipsburg, KS, May 10, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 2008, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Phillipsburg, KS - Coordinates: 39.749477, -99.320068 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7495&lon=-99.3201&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67986 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67986/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA135 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain aircraft control during an emergency landing. Contributing factors were the reported smoke and prevailing gusty wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Bailey Michael A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056902U), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bailey Michael A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056902U), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Bailey Michael A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056902U), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Bailey Michael A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=056902U), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bailey Michael A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056902U), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While en route to his destination, the non-certificated pilot reported detecting smoke in the cockpit originating near the instrument panel. While attempting to land in gusty wind conditions, the pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane resulting in substantial damage to the airplane and serious injuries to the pilot. An inspection of instrument panel failed to indentify the source of smoke. Despite numerous attempts, the pilot failed to provide any additional information. ## Factual narrative On May 10, 2008, at approximately 1650 central daylight time, a single engine Bailey Varieze, N6553C, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing following a report of smoke in the cockpit. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 313 nautical mile cross country flight originated from Atwood, Kansas and was destined for Lee's Summit, Missouri. A brief statement was obtained by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The pilot stated that while enroute to his destination he detected smoke coming from the instrument panel. The pilot further stated that he elected to perform an emergency landing on a dirt road that ran generally north-south. The pilot terminated the interview and no further contact has been established with the pilot. Despite numerous attempts, the pilot would not provide any further information or complete an NTSB Form 6120.1. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident scene, conducted an examination of the wreckage. No evidence of fire was detected on the engine, airframe, battery, instruments or associated wiring. A review of the pilot's records revealed that the pilot last applied for a medical certificate on November 11, 2003 at which time he reported having accumlated 310 hours with 0 hours in the previous six months. On December 31, 2003 the pilot was denied a medical certificate by the FAA. At 1653, an automated weather reporting facility at Hill City Municipal Airport, located approximately 32 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, reported winds from 320 degrees at 28 knots gusting to 40 knots, visibility 10 miles, ceiling overcast at 3,200 feet, temperature 55 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.85 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6553C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6553C-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bailey Varieze - Registry model: [Bailey Michael A VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/bailey-michael-a-varieze) (registry code 056902U) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Atwood, KS - Destination: Tolee Summit, MO - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 28 knots, gusting 40 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: HLC 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.