# NTSB LAX84LA222: Vari EZE, N3VE, Rancho, CA, March 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1984, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Rancho, CA
- 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): 24203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24203/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, climb
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - improper (cause)
  - material inadequate,improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,total (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AFTER PROPELLER FAILURE DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT HADMADE HIS PROPELLER OF FIBERGLASS INSTEAD OF RECOMMENDED WOOD. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLT WITH THIS PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3VE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: VARI EZE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 19
- Airframe hours: 350
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Leroy Rogers
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1983

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,915 total, 360 in this make and model, 1,482 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19840317006059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840317006059A), Mar 17, 1984: Amtrru VARIEZE, Rancho, CA, Substantial damage. Propeller failed on first flight using new prop. Substantial damage occurred during emergency landing.

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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