# NTSB MIA86LA040: Douglas C. Campbell Varieze, N111VE, Orlando, FL, December 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1985, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.480958, -81.319198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4810&lon=-81.3192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA040

## 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
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankcase - penetrated (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - object - utility pole
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT LOST POWER, & IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE ARPT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A LIGHT POLE & SOME ORANGE TREES, COMING TO REST ON A CANAL BANK. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT IT FAILED BECAUSE THE #4 ROD ASS'Y SEPARATED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT & PUNCTURED THE CRANKCASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N111VE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N111VE-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 1692 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS C. CAMPBELL VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Campbell Douglas C VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/campbell-douglas-c-varieze) (registry code 05609QL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotorway RW-100 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw-100-series) (registry code 55001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1692
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: Rotorway RW-100 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas C. Campbell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: MCO, ORLANDO, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 2 in this make and model, 246 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO

## 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 19851208060969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851208060969A), Dec 8, 1985: Amtrru VARIEZE, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on engine test flight. Struck a pole during a forced landing. Rough assembly separated from the crankshaft

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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