# NTSB FTW94LA202: Riley, Donald Rutan Varieze, N111DR, Fort Lupton, CO, June 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1994, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Lupton, CO
- Coordinates: 40.080924, -104.800048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0809&lon=-104.8000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA202

## Probable cause

BLOCKAGE OF THE OIL SCAVENGE PUMP BY FOREIGN MATERIAL WHICH WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE ENGINE DURING MAINTENANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil scavenge pump - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS CONDUCTED.  DURING THE APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWER LINES.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE PROVIDED EVIDENCE OF OIL SUMP CONTAMINATION IN THE FORM OF A PAPER TOWEL APPEARING ITEM.  THIS PLUGGED THE OIL PICK UP AND CAUSED OIL STARVATION.  EVIDENCE INDICATES THE PIECE OF PAPER TOWEL APPEARING MATERIAL MAY HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED INTO THE ENGINE DURING MAINTENANCE TO A CYLINDER A SHORT TIME PRIOR TO THE TRIP ORIGINATING.

## Factual narrative

On June 19, 1994, at 1130 mountain daylight time, a homebuilt Varieze, N111DR, struck power lines while conducting a forced landing due to a loss of power 2 miles west of Fort Lupton, Colorado.  The pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger minor injuries.  The aircraft was destroyed.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The flight departed Olathe Kansas, at 0800 with an intended destination of Longmont, Colorado.

According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight when the engine lost oil pressure and a total loss of power occurred.  He said he attempted to land on a highway but struck a power line during approach.

Examination of the engine provided evidence of a large piece of paper towel appearing material in the oil sump.  This piece of material had plugged the oil pick up resulting in oil starvation to the engine.

Available information indicates the engine had maintenance performed on a cylinder a short time prior to this trip and that the piece of material may have been introduced into the engine at that time.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N111DR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N111DR-1997-01-22), registration cancelled 1997-01-22, S/N 1481 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RILEY, DONALD RUTAN VARIEZE (RUTAN VARI)
- Registry model: [Riley-Donald VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/riley-donald-varieze) (registry code 05609V2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1481
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Riley, Donald K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: OJC, OLATHE, KS
- Destination: 2V2, LONGMONT, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,794 total, 1,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 30 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 19940619015389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940619015389A), Jun 19, 1994: Amtrru VARIEZE, Ft Lupton, CO, Destroyed. Lost power en route. Struck wires landing. Paper towel plugged sump in oil pan. Left there on cylinder maintenance.

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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