# NTSB FTW97LA057: Gilbert Rutan Vari EZE, N18VE, Oklahoma City, OK, November 10, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 10, 1996, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Oklahoma City, OK - Coordinates: 35.399875, -97.429985 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3999&lon=-97.4300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20122 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20122/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA057 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow proper starting procedures and set the throttle to idle before hand propping. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - starting engine(s) - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - throttle/power control - not set, pilot in command (cause) - object - pole - object - guy wire ## Analysis During hand propping of the airplane, the throttle is placed in the idle position with the ignition (magneto) switch and fuel on. However, when the engine is flooded, a clearing procedure must be used. For clearing the engine, the pilot turned off the ignition and the fuel and placed the throttle full open before pulling the propeller through backwards 10 blades. Subsequently, the pilot turned on the ignition and the fuel. However, he did not close the throttle. As the pilot pulled the propeller through a revolution, the engine started and the airplane went forward with full power. The left wing tip struck a steel pole and crossed the ramp, a taxiway, and a runway before striking windsock guy wires and coming to a stop. The airplane was not equipped with a parking brake, and at idle power a rubber parking pad at the nose served as the chock. On the Pilot/Operator Report the pilot recommended installing a hand brake, using full lean mixture for flooded procedures, and using a checklist. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 1996, at 1500 central daylight time, a Gilbert Rutan Vari Eze, N18VE, registered to and operated by a private owner, under Title 14 CFR Part 91, struck a pole and windsock guy wires at the Sundance Airport, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned local personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. During an interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, on a pilot statement sent to the FAA inspector, and on the Pilot/Operator Report, the following information was reported by the pilot. The intention for the day was to fuel the airplane and fly for 1 hour; therefore, the pilot taxied the airplane and parked it at the fueling area where he added approximately 6 gallons of fuel. Since the airplane does not have a starter, the airplane is hand propped for starting. During the start, the throttle is placed in the idle position with the ignition (magneto) switch and fuel on; however, if the engine does not start on the first or second flip of the propeller, then the engine is flooded and a clearing procedure must be used. For clearing the engine, the pilot turned off the ignition and the fuel and placed the throttle full open before pulling the propeller through backwards 10 blades. Subsequently, the pilot turned on the ignition and the fuel; however, he did not close the throttle. As the pilot pulled the propeller through a revolution, the engine started and the airplane went forward with full power. The left wing tip struck a steel pole and the airplane pivoted 90 degrees before the wing cleared the pole. Subsequently, the airplane crossed the ramp, a taxiway, and a runway before striking windsock guy wires and coming to a stop. The engine continued to run until the pilot reached the airplane and shut down the engine. The pilot further stated that clearance from the main wheel pants to the ground did not give enough room to chock the main wheels and the airplane was not equipped with a parking brake. At idle power, a rubber parking pad at the nose served as the chock. On the Pilot/Operator Report the pilot recommended installing a hand brake, using full lean mixture for flooded procedures, and using a checklist. The FAA inspector examined the airplane and found that damage occurred to the left wing, canard, right elevator, nose gear, propeller, and wheel pants. ## Aircraft - Registration: N18VE (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: GILBERT RUTAN VARI EZE (RUTAN VARI) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 948 - Airframe hours: 97 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory C. Gilbert - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1996, 9 hours before - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: HSD, Sundance Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 282 total, 80 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - 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 19961110041629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961110041629A), Nov 10, 1996: Amtrru VARIEZE, Oklahoma City, OK, Substantial damage. Hand propped engine. Failed to use throtle after purging. Started. Ran into steel pole. Pivoted hit sock guy wire. (-23) see detailed statement dated 25… 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.