# NTSB FTW01LA034: Evans Varieze, N64592, Ingleside, TX, December 10, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 9, 2000, 18:00 local (Dec 10, 2000, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Ingleside, TX - Coordinates: 27.869222, -97.199829 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8692&lon=-97.1998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 10, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51159 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51159/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA034 ## Probable cause the loss of control during takeoff initial climb due to the binding rudder, which restricted the pilot's control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - flight control,rudder - binding(mechanical) (cause) - aircraft control - restricted, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed when the airplane entered an uncommanded left roll while in the traffic pattern turning from upwind to crosswind. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane came to rest in brushy terrain, approximately 100 yards east of the runway. The FAA inspector examined the aircraft and observed that paint was missing from the rear edge of the rudder control arm, and manual movement of the rudder against the centering spring resulted in the cable eye hooking itself behind the rudder control arm. The airplane had accumulated 26 hours of flight time since the last condition inspection. ## Factual narrative On December 9, 2000, at 1800 central standard time, an Evans Varieze homebuilt experimental airplane, N64592, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during the initial takeoff climb at the T. P. McCambell Airport, near Ingleside, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Corpus Christi International Airport, Corpus Christi, Texas, at an unknown time. The pilot reported to local authorities and the FAA inspector who responded to the site, that while in the traffic pattern, during the turn from upwind to crosswind, full opposite rudder would not overcome an uncommanded roll to the left, which continued until the left wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest in brushy terrain, approximately 100 yards east of runway 13. The FAA inspector examined the aircraft and found extensive structural damage throughout the airplane. He established flight control continuity with all linkages, push/pull rods, and bellcranks. He observed that paint was missing from the rear edge of the rudder control arm, and manual movement of the rudder against the centering spring resulted in the cable eye hooking itself behind the rudder control arm. The last condition inspection was performed on September 8, 2000, at a total airframe time of 2,173.6 hours. The pilot estimated that the airplane had accumulated 26 hours of flight time since the last condition inspection. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64592](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64592-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Evans Aircraft VARIEZE - Registry model: [Evans VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/evans-varieze) (registry code 0560933) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Airframe hours: 2200 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel A. Buhr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 2000, 26 hours before - Departed: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Destination: T43 - Airport: T43, T. P. Mccampbell, runway 13, 4,996 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 850 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CRP, 12 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 20001209023859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001209023859A), Dec 9, 2000: Amtr VARIEZE, Ingleside, TX, Destroyed. (-23) At approx. 1800 CST on December 09, 2000, Mr. Daniel arthur buhr, holder of commercial airman certificate no. 481948211, was the pilot in command of a… 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.