# NTSB LAX86FVG01: Commings Vari EZE, N82RC, Lower Lake, CA, February 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1986, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Lower Lake, CA
- Location: 38.9130° N, 122.6070° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lower Lake, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9130&lon=-122.6070&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FVG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE DURING FORCED LANDING OFF THE ARPT AFTER A REPORTED POWER LOSS. POST-ACCIDENT ENGINE EXAM SHOWED NO REASON FOR A POWER LOSS. PLT SUSPECTS CARB ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N82RC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: COMMINGS VARI EZE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 207
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harold D. Davenport
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1985, 157 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,000 total, 48 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 7 °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 19860201002049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860201002049A), Feb 1, 1986: Amtrru VARIEZE, Lower Lake, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power after takeoff. Struck a tree during forced landing. Suspect carburetor ice.

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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