# NTSB ERA09LA453: Laurienzo Gabriel A Varieze, N808SA, North Augusta, SC, August 9, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 2009, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: North Augusta, SC - Coordinates: 33.503055, -81.96389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5031&lon=-81.9639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA453 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74479/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74479 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA453 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Laurienzo Gabriel A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05609BF), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Laurienzo Gabriel A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=05609BF), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Laurienzo Gabriel A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=05609BF), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Laurienzo Gabriel A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05609BF), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Laurienzo Gabriel A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05609BF), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Laurienzo Gabriel A VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05609BF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amateur-built airplane stated that he was having problems with “dirt dabbers” getting into the fuel vent on his airplane, and he installed a black rubber cap on the fuel vent. The pilot conducted a preflight inspection prior to the accident flight; however, he failed to remove the cap. He departed and was in cruise flight at 2,000 feet mean sea level, paralleling an interstate highway when the engine lost power. The pilot further stated that he immediately knew what happened. "The engine had quit because the air could not enter the fuel tank due to the blocked fuel vent line, which caused the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation." Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel vent was blocked with a black cap. No other anomalies were noted with the airframe, flight controls, fuel system, engine assembly, or associated components. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 2009, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Laurienzo Varieze, experimental amateur-built airplane, N808SA, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power in cruise flight near North Augusta, South Carolina. The pilot made a forced landing to a highway and collided with power lines and a pole. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial. The private pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated from Twin Lakes Airport (S17), Graniteville, South Carolina, at an undetermined time. The pilot stated he was having problems with “dirt dabbers” getting into the fuel vent, so he decided to correct the problem by installing a rubber cap on the fuel vent system. In addition, he planned on making an entry in the checklist, and adding a red flag to the cap, however he did not do either. On the day of the accident, the pilot stated he conducted a preflight inspection, and failed to remove the black cap from the fuel vent. He departed S17 and was in cruise flight at 2,000 feet mean sea level, paralleling I-20 westbound, when the engine quit. The pilot stated, he immediately knew what happened, and wished he could have crawled outside and removed the black fuel vent cap. "The engine had quit because the air could not enter the fuel tank due to the blocked fuel vent line, which caused the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation." The pilot switched the fuel tank selector from the main fuel tanks to the reserve fuel tank. The engine started and stopped about 30 seconds later. He observed an interstate highway, which was under construction and flew towards it. He lined up with the interstate, lowered the nose landing gear, lowered the flaps to the full down position, and assumed a 90 mph landing to the south. The airplane collided with wires, which the pilot had not seen. The nose of the airplane pitched down, the airplane banked to the right 90 degrees, and he was unable to recover the airplane. The airplane collided with the ground nose down and came to rest inverted. The pilot further stated, "There was nothing mechanically wrong with the airplane. The accident was complete pilot error." Examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed the fuel vent was blocked with a black cap. No anomalies were noted with the fuel system, engine assembly or associated components. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N808SA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N808SA-2011-09-21), registration cancelled 2011-09-21, S/N 1654, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LAURIENZO GABRIEL A VARIEZE - Registry model: [Laurienzo Gabriel A VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/laurienzo-gabriel-a-varieze) (registry code 05609BF) (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: 1654 - Airframe hours: 680 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Samuel C. Hart Jr. - Registered owner: Hart Samuel C Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2009, 3 hours before - Departed: S17, Graniteville, SC - Destination: S17, Graniteville, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 17, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 418 total, 137 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: AGS, 20 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 20090809048209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090809048209A), Aug 9, 2009: Laurienzo G VARIEZE, North Augusta, SC, Destroyed. The pilot was makeing a local VFR flight in VMC wx and no flight plan when he lost power over I 20 after departing his home airstrip (S13) 10 miles to the… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74479. 18.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318601&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Police Report (item 3, .PDF, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317259&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Varieze Checklist (item 4, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Varieze%20Checklist-Master.PDF - Variezie Fuel System (item 5, .PDF, 319 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317351&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Variezie%20Fuel%20System-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Right side view of airplane at rest inverted. Photo FAA (item 6, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317261&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest%20inverted.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Left side view of airplane at rest inverted. Photo FAA (item 7, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317262&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Left%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest%20inverted.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Left side view of airplane with plugged fuel vent line. Photo FAA (item 8, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317263&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Left%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20with%20plugged%20fuel%20vent%20line.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Close up view of plugged fuel vent line. Photo FAA (item 9, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317264&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Close%20up%20view%20of%20plugged%20fuel%20vent%20line.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - View of power line that airplane collided with. Photo FAA (item 10, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20View%20of%20power%20line%20that%20airplane%20collided%20with.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 6 - View of sign that airplane collided with. Photo FAA (item 11, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20-%20View%20of%20sign%20that%20airplane%20collided%20with.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 7 - Front view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 12, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%20-%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 8 - View of separated nose wheel assembly. Photo FAA (item 13, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208%20-%20View%20of%20separated%20nose%20wheel%20assembly.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 9 - Side view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 14, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317347&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209%20-%20Side%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.