# NTSB NYC07CA002: Cutler VariEze, N46RC, Perkasie, PA, October 7, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2006, 16:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Perkasie, PA - Coordinates: 40.410278, -75.229446 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4103&lon=-75.2294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Allentown FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64655 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64655/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA002 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive rotation on takeoff, which resulted in a propeller blade strike, and subsequent forced landing to a field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - blade strike - Propeller failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - propeller system/accessories,blade - disintegrated - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot of an amateur-built VariEze airplane performed an emergency landing to a field, after the propeller blades disintegrated during the initial climb. According to the pilot, the airplane accelerated normally during the takeoff roll, and after rotation, its rate-of-climb decreased significantly. He decided to land in a field off the end of the runway. The airplane landed, rolled about 50 feet, and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage. A post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed propeller strike marks on the runway, about the pilot's stated point-of-rotation, as well as propeller fragments near the strike marks. ## Factual narrative The pilot of an amateur-built VariEze airplane performed an emergency landing to a field, after the propeller blades disintegrated during the initial climb. According to the pilot, the airplane accelerated normally during the takeoff roll, and after rotation, it's rate-of-climb decreased significantly. He decided to land in a field off the end of the runway. The airplane landed, rolled about 50 feet, and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage. A post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed propeller strike marks on the runway, about the pilot's stated point-of-rotation, as well as propeller fragments near the strike marks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46RC-2007-01-04), registration cancelled 2007-01-04, S/N 108, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cutler VariEze - Registry model: [Cutler VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/cutler-varieze) (registry code 0560921) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 108 - Airframe hours: 1146.2 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2006 - Departed: PS03, Perkasie, PA - Destination: PS03, Perkasie, PA - Airport: PS03, Elephant Path Airport, runway 05, 2,750 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 278 total, 131 in this make and model, 227 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KDYL, 7 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 20061007020069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061007020069A), Oct 7, 2006: Amtr VARIEZE, Perkasie, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed runway 5 from a normally westerly wind direction, although stated that the winds were calm. He rotated and struck the rear mounted wooden… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.