# NTSB MKC86FA166: Attebery-Stainbrook Varieze, N6BZ, Osawatomie, KS, August 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1986, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Osawatomie, KS
- Coordinates: 38.499942, -94.950103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4999&lon=-94.9501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34074/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft manuals, production/design personnel (contributing factor)
  - wing - separation
  - acft/equip,inadequate compliance determination, faa inspector (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY AND FLYING AT CRUISE ALTITUDE WHEN, SUDDENLY THE LEFT (PORT) WING SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. SOUNDS OF ENGINE POWER CEASED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP AND THE AIRCRAFT PLUMMETED TO THE GROUND UNDER NO APPARENT CONTROL, THE WITNESSES FURTHER STATED. THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON A CORNFIELD RESTING IN AN INVERTED POSITION. THE LEFT MAIN WING WAS LOCATED ON AN OPEN FIELD ONE QUARTER MILE AWAY. ON-SCENE INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT NEITHER WING HAD BEEN SECURED TO THE MAIN FUSELAGE WITH ANY KIND OF FASTENING DEVICE. EPOXY AND PAINT ABOUT THE WING ROOT AREA WERE FOUND TO BE THE ONLY MEANS OF KEEPING THE WINGS AND THE FUSELAGE MATED. NO ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS DISCOVERED. THIS AIRCRAFT HAD LOGGED JUST OVER 14 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6BZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6BZ-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 1200 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ATTEBERY-STAINBROOK VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Attebery-Stainbrook VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/attebery-stainbrook-varieze) (registry code 05609WK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1200
- Airframe hours: 15
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Benjamin A. Attebery
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1986
- Departed: K81, OSAWATOMIE, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,506 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 38 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 19860803036809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860803036809A), Aug 3, 1986: Amtrru VARIEZE, Osawatomie, KS, Destroyed. Left wing separated in flight. Wing attach bolts were never installed prior to certification of the homebuilt plane

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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