# NTSB MIA91LA154: Larocque, Raymond E. VARI-EZE, N1344Z, Lake Placid, FL, May 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1991, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Placid, FL
- Coordinates: 27.289886, -81.359764 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2899&lon=-81.3598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32879
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32879/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA154

## Probable cause

IMPROPER FUEL SELECTOR POSITION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT FAILED TO POSITION THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM A FUSELAGE TANK WHICH SUPPLIES FUEL TO THE ENG FOR STARTING, TO THE MAIN TANKS BEFORE TAKEOFF, AS REQUIRED.  THE FLT DEPARTED & DURING CRUISE FLT, THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE PLT INTENTIONALLY STOPPED THE PROP BUT AFTER REALIZING THAT THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION, POSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE MAIN TANKS & INITIATED A DESCENT TO START THE ENG BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN A FIELD, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1344Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1344Z-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 847 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAROCQUE, RAYMOND E. VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Laroque Raymond E VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/laroque-raymond-e-vari-eze) (registry code 05609QA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 847
- Airframe hours: 930
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larocque, Raymond E.
- Registered owner: Larocque, Raymond E.
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1990, 55 hours before
- Departed: X53, CLEWISTON, FL
- Destination: 2A9, PEACHTREE CITY, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,688 total, 829 in this make and model, 3,905 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19910527017139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910527017139A), May 27, 1991: Amtrru VARIEZE, Lake Placid, FL, Substantial damage. Fuel starvation en route caused forced landing and nose over. Fuel selector on 2 gallon fuselage engine start tank.

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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