# NTSB MKC87LA176: Ellsworth Varieze, N24GE, Lebanon, MO, September 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1987, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Lebanon, MO
- Coordinates: 37.669414, -92.659873 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6694&lon=-92.6599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PIC WAS BACK-TAXIING DOWN RWY 18 WITH A PLANNED DEPT TO THE NORTH. THE PIC STATED THAT HE APPLIED BRAKES IN ORDER TO MODIFY HIS DIRECTION DURING THE TAXI, BUT THE BRAKE FAILED TO COMPENSATE. THE PIC FURTHER STATED THAT HE APPLIED MORE PWR IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT DIRECTION WHEN THE OPENED CANOPY FELL DOWN. THE PIC GRABBED THE CANOPY IN ORDER TO SECURE IT AND RELEASED CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE. DURING THIS SEQUENCE THE ACFT WAS INCREASING IN SPEED TOWARDS AN EMBANKMENT. THE PIC PULLED BACK ON THE FLT CONTROLS AND THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD INSUFFICIENT A/S TO REMAIN AIRBORNE AND IT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. THE ACFT THEN ROLLED A SHORT DISTANCE, BROKE THROUGH A FENCE, CROSSED A DITCH AND A ROAD, AND FINALLY CROSSED ANOTHER DITCH, COMING TO REST IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE ACFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED BY FIRE. EXAM OF THE BRAKES DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF A MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24GE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24GE-1994-02-14), registration cancelled 1994-02-14, S/N 24 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ELLSWORTH VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Ellsworth Gary D VARI EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/ellsworth-gary-d-vari-eze) (registry code 0569085) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 24
- Airframe hours: 51
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary D. Ellsworth
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1987, 50 hours before
- Departed: LBO
- Destination: MACOMB, IL
- Airport: LBO, Lebanon, runway 18, 5,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 250 total, 51 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGF, 42 nm away

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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