# NTSB FTW95LA161: Gardner Varieze, N13WM, Addison, TX, April 8, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 1995, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Addison, TX - Coordinates: 32.959304, -96.830322 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9593&lon=-96.8303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19386 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19386/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA161 ## Probable cause THE JAMMED THROTTLE. FACTORS WERE THE KNOB BECOMING LOOSE AND SEPARATING FROM THE THROTTLE LEVER, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE 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(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - throttle/power lever - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (contributing factor) - throttle/power lever - jammed (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis WHILE ON A 1.5 MILE FINAL APPROACH AT ADDISON AIRPORT (ADS) THE PILOT WAS REQUESTED BY THE TOWER CONTROLLER TO SLOW DOWN FOR TRAFFIC SEQUENCING. POWER WAS REDUCED TO SLOW DOWN. AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE THROTTLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, HE NOTICED IT WAS 'JAMMED.' PRIOR TO REDUCING POWER, THE PILOT SAW THAT THE KNOB ASSEMBLY OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER HAD 'DROPPED OFF.' DURING A LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A BERM. EXAMINATION OF THE THROTTLE QUADRANT REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL HAD BECOME MISALIGNED. WHEN THE THROTTLE CONTROL WAS ALIGNED, THE THROTTLE WOULD MOVE FULL TRAVEL FORE AND AFT. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 1995, at 1440 central standard time, a Gardner VariEze, N13WM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Addison, Texas. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector the following information. He was on a 1.5 mile final approach at Addison Airport (ADS) and was requested by the tower controller to slow down for traffic sequencing. "Shortly" before reducing power he saw that the knob assembly of the throttle control lever had "dropped off." As he attempted to increase throttle to maintain altitude, he noticed it was "jammed." The airplane was at 1000 feet and descending; therefore, he made the decision to land in an open field. During the landing roll the airplane struck a berm damaging the landing gear, main gear fuselage attaching points, and the right wing. The pilot further reported that examination of the throttle quadrant revealed that the throttle control had become misaligned when the knob assembly "dropped off." When the throttle control was aligned, the throttle would move full travel fore and aft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13WM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13WM-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 218, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GARDNER VARIEZE - Registry model: [Gardner Wesley C VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/gardner-wesley-c-varieze) (registry code 05609FV) (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: 218 - Airframe hours: 1668 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-320-B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cannon, John - Registered owner: Gardner, Wesley C. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: TKI, MCKINNEY, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total, 46 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19950408007379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950408007379A), Apr 8, 1995: Amtrru VARIEZE, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. ATC advised slow for traffic did so but throttle jammed on restoring power. Crash landed short. Control misaligned. ## Other investigations on N13WM (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN00FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00FA007), Oct 18, 1999: Gardner Varieze (N13WM), Quemado, NM, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area on which to make a precautionary landing, and his excessive airspeed during landing touchdown. Factors were the ingestion of the foam air filter… 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.