# NTSB MIA89FA177: Uhley-Mason R.A.F. VARI-EZE, N2UM, Lantana, FL, June 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1989, 15:34 local (19:34 UTC)
- Place: Lantana, FL
- Coordinates: 26.580865, -80.069816 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5809&lon=-80.0698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA177

## Probable cause

PILOTS INADVERTENT TURNING OFF OF THE ENGINE IGNITION SWITCHES RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb
  - ignition system
  - equipment,other - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THE ENG FAILED ABRUPTLY AS THE ACFT MADE A RIGHT TURN AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ENG WAS PLACED ON A TEST STAND AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND OPERATED TO FULL POWER WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. UNCONTAMINATED FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRFRAME AND ENG FUEL SYSTEM AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE ENG IGNITION SWITCHES WERE DESTROYED IN THE ACCIDENT AND THE POSITION OF THESE SWITCHES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT OBSERVED THE ENG OPERATE ON THE TEST STAND AND WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE TURNED OFF THE ENG FAILED ABRUPTLY. THEY IDENTIFIED THIS FAILURE MODE AS SIMILAR TO THE INFLIGHT FAILURE OF THE ENG. THE OTHER OWNER OF THE ACFT STATED HE HAD INADVERTENTLY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCHES A FEW YEARS BEFORE WHEN HE BUMPED THEM WHILE CLOSING THE AIR VENT. HE STATED THE POINT IN THIS FLIGHT THAT THE ENG FAILED WOULD HAVE BEEN THE POINT THE PLT WOULD HAVE CLOSED THE AIR VENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2UM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2UM-1991-10-25), registration cancelled 1991-10-25, S/N 705 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: UHLEY-MASON R.A.F. VARI-EZE (R.A.F. VAR)
- Registry model: [Uhley-Mason R.A.F. VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/uhley-mason-r-a-f-vari-eze) (registry code 05609G1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 705
- Airframe hours: 661
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Slattery, Eugene M.
- Registered owner: P.A. Mason And E. M. Slattery
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: LNA, LANTANA, FL
- Destination: BCT, BOCA RATON, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 185 total, 89 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 6 nm away

## 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 19890618015879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890618015879A), Jun 18, 1989: Amtrru VARIEZE, Lantana, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on downwind after takeoff. Pilot may have bumped unguarded magneto switchs to off. Failed to reset.

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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