# NTSB MKC84FA234: Sims - Basset Varieze, N4229G, Clarinda, IA, July 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1984, 12:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Clarinda, IA
- Coordinates: 40.729187, -95.029014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7292&lon=-95.0290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA234

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,spark plug - leaded (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED A GROUND RUN OF APRX 2000 FT BEFORE LIFT-OFF WAS ACHIEVED AFTER WHICH THE ACFT APPEARED TO CLIMB LABORIOUSLY TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL. ACFT THEN EXECUTED STEEP, DESCENDING RT TURN OF ABOUT 240 DEGREES BACK TOWARD THE ARPT.ACFT COLLIDED WITH PWR LINE ABOUT 25 FT AGL THEN CONTINUED APRX 100 FT INTO A CINDER BLOCK STRUCTURE. ACFT DISINTEGRATED ON IMPACT WITH STRUCTURE. WT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS SHOW ACFT 200 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WIEGHT. ENG TEARDOWN DISCLOSED LOW COMPRESSION ON ALL CYLS, OIL FILTER CONTAINED METAL PARTICLES, EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR CAMSHAFT BEARING OBSERVED AND EVIDENCE OF CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL SPINNING IN CRANKCASE. NO. 1 AND NO. 3 TOP SPARK PLUGS WERE LEAD FOULED AND WOULD NOT FIRE DURING TESTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4229G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4229G-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 425, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIMS - BASSET VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Bassett-Sims VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/bassett-sims-varieze) (registry code 05609KL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 425
- Airframe hours: 214
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald M. Sims
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1983
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Airport: ICL, Schenck Field, runway 1, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19840727035539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840727035539A), Jul 27, 1984: Amtrru VARIEZE, Clarinda, IA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine developed partial power on takeoff. Crashed in field. Low engine compression, rings and exhaust valve leaks.

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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