# NTSB SEA85FYM02: Ringsdorf-Mcconnell VARI-EZE, N37993, Eugene, OR, May 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1985, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Eugene, OR
- Coordinates: 43.939426, -123.189399 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9394&lon=-123.1894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 3 minor; on the ground: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FYM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FYM02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel tank selector position - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAS A FUSELAGE FUEL TANK WHICH HOLDS ONLY TWO GALLONS AS WELL AS TWO WING FUEL TANKS. THE PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT ON THE FUSELAGE TANK AND THE ENGINE CEASED OPERATING BEFORE HE REALIZED HE NEEDED TO CHANGE THE FUEL SELECTOR. AN UNSUCCESSFUL RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED FOLLOWED BY A FORCED LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N37993 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: RINGSDORF-MCCONNELL VARI-EZE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 46
- Airframe hours: 111
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bryce Ringsdorf
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 7, 1984, 187 hours before
- Departed: EUG, EUGENE, OR
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,925 total, 594 in this make and model, 2,070 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EUG, 10 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 19850519018019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850519018019A), May 19, 1985: Amtrru VARIEZE, Eugene, OR, Destroyed. Pilot failed to select main fuel tanks prior to departure. Engine quit and aircraft struck trees and ground.

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.