# NTSB NYC90FA169: David B. Robertson VARI-EZE, N45DR, Cincinnati, OH, July 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1990, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Cincinnati, OH
- Coordinates: 39.069046, -84.390388 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0690&lon=-84.3904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious; on the ground: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36540
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36540/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA169

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A FUEL LINE FITTING AND INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line fitting - cross/stripped threaded (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, AT APRX 300 FT AGL, THE ENGINE LOSS POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE INTO A RACE TRACK PARKING LOT, AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK WOODEN FENCES AND A TREE LINE. THE ENGINE HAD A HISTORY OF RUNNING HOT. A NYLON FITTING IN THE MAIN FUEL LINE WAS FOUND TO BE CROSS THREADED, AND TEFLON TAPE HAD BEEN USED AS A SEAL AROUND THE THREADS. THE NYLON FITTING WAS LOOSE, AND THE SEAL DETERIORATED WHICH ALLOWED AIR TO BE SUCKED INTO THE LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45DR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45DR-1990-12-12), registration cancelled 1990-12-12, S/N 614 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DAVID B. ROBERTSON VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Robertson David B VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/robertson-david-b-vari-eze) (registry code 05609LS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 614
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David B. Robertson
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,767 total, 512 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Observed at: LUK, 3 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 19900723028179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900723028179A), Jul 23, 1990: Amtrru VARIEZE, Cincinnati, OH, Destroyed. Engine overheated lost power crash landed in race track. Fuel fitting leak caused lean mixture.

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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