# NTSB FTW84LA204: Beasley, Gerald L. Varieze, N26VE, Purcell, OK, April 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1984, 06:19 local (12:19 UTC)
- Place: Purcell, OK
- Coordinates: 35.010013, -97.370307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0100&lon=-97.3703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA204

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE STARTED THE ENG BY USING FUEL FROM THE 2.5 GAL AUX TANK, THEN HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE 'BOTH' POSITION. HE TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 0600 CST & CLIMBED TO CRUISE AT 5500 FT MSL. WHILE EN ROUTE, A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ENG 'SPUTTERED BRIEFLY & DIED.' THE PLT TRIED STARTING THE ENG BY ROTATING THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE TO ALL POSITIONS. WHILE DESCENDING THRU 2500 TO 2000 FT, HE FELT THE PROP HAD STOPPED WINDMILLING. SINCE THE ACFT HAD NO ELECTRIC STARTER, HE COULD NOT GET THE PROP TO START TURNING WITHOUT INCREASING THE AIRSPEED. HE TRIED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD, BUT STATED HE WAS 'TRYING TO MANEUVER AROUND & OVER SOME TREE TOPS & I EVIDENTLY STALLED MY CRAFT.' THE ACFT WAS DEMOLISHED DURING IMPACT BESIDE A RAILROAD TRACK. THE PLT RELATED THAT 'EVIDENTLY THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE DIDN'T WORK.' HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26VE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26VE-1984-08-20), registration cancelled 1984-08-20, S/N 1362 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEASLEY, GERALD L. VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Beasley Gerald L VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/beasley-gerald-l-varieze) (registry code 05609CA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1362
- Airframe hours: 129
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gerald L Beasley
- Registered owner: Gerald L. Beasley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1983, 11 hours before
- Departed: DUC, DUNCAN, OK
- Destination: RVS, TULSA, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,069 total, 129 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19840418055189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840418055189A), Apr 18, 1984: Amtrru VARIEZE, Purcell, OK, Destroyed. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel starvation. Fuel selector valve malfunctioned.

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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