# NTSB MKC88FA026: Varga 2150A, N4VK, Conroe, TX, December 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1987, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Conroe, TX
- Coordinates: 30.320453, -95.470489 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3205&lon=-95.4705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA026

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FOR A SHORT FLIGHT WITHOUT BEING SURE OF HIS FUEL QUANTITY. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE HIS DESTINATION WHICH WAS 32 NM FROM HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE HIT TREES, UPRIGHT POSITION. INSPECTION FOUND THE FUEL TANK EMPTY AND NO LEAKS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4VK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4VK-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N VAC187-82 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VARGA 2150A
- Registry model: [Varga 2180](https://openairdocs.org/model/varga-2180) (registry code 9350104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: VAC-187-82
- Airframe hours: 438
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: A R Vien DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 1987, 156 hours before
- Departed: 6R3, CLEVELAND, TX
- Airport: CXO, Montgomery County, runway 32, 5,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 167 total, 5 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 23 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 19871210070059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871210070059A), Dec 10, 1987: Varga 2150AMORISY, Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Went through tree tops and crashed on edge of a pond. Found fuel transmitter inaccurate.

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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