# NTSB SEA84LA118: Varga 2150-A, N4611V, Mountain Home, ID, May 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1984, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Mountain Home, ID
- Coordinates: 43.359764, -115.519668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3598&lon=-115.5197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39923/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA118

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT BECAME LOST ON THE LAST LEG OF HIS X-COUNTRY, SOLO FLT. HE FINAL DETERMINED THAT HIS POSITION WAS OVER BOISE, ID, ABOUT 35 MI FROM HIS DESTINATION. HE TURNED TO FOLLOW RAILROAD TRACKS. ABOUT 15 MIN LATER, THE ENG CEASED OPERATING DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. BOTH FUEL GAGES INDICATED THE TANKS WERE EMPTY AT THAT TIME. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD, BUT THE WIND DRIFTED THE ACFT INTO A POWER LINE POLE. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE POLE & THE ACFT TURNED & CAUGHT THE POWER LINES BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4611V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4611V-2012-07-31), registration cancelled 2012-07-31, S/N VAC78-77, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Varga 2150-A
- Registry model: [Varga 2150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/varga-2150a) (registry code 9350102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: VAC78-77
- Airframe hours: 1538
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: I.S.A.C.
- Registered owner: Marion Case
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 28, 1984, 33 hours before
- Departed: BYI, BURELY, ID
- Destination: U76, MOUNTAIN HOME, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 77 total, 69 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOI, 25 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 19840526019129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840526019129A), May 26, 1984: Varga 2150AMORISY, Mountain Home, ID, Substantial damage. Student became lost on a crosscountry flight and ran out of fuel. Struck a powerpole and wires on forced landing.

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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