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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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March 2, 1990 · Zimmerman Varieze · N16CS

Brooksville, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 2, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Brooksville, FL
Aircraft
Zimmerman Varieze
Tail Number
N16CS
Operator
Culpepper David G
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA90LA075

THE PLT STATED THE FUEL TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF 4 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT & THE ACFT WAS HANGARED & NOT FLOWN UNTIL A 45 MINUTE FLT EARLIER THAT DAY. BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE RETURN FLT, HE PERFORMED A PREFLT INSPN & ENG RUN-UP OF THE ACFT & NOTED NO CONTAMINANTS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM OR ENG MALFUNCTION. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF 300 FT, THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, THEN QUIT. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT NOSED OVER AFTER TOUCHING DOWN IN A FIELD. ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS WAS DAMAGED, BUT THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE OTHER FUEL TANK WAS CHECKED FOR CONTAMINATION, NONE WAS FOUND. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE REPORTED TEMP WAS 77 & THE DEW POINT 62, WHICH WAS IN THE 'SERIOUS ICING-GLIDE POWER' RANGE OF THE CARB ICING PROBABILITY CHART.

NTSB Probable Cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED THE FUEL TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF 4 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT & THE ACFT WAS HANGARED & NOT FLOWN UNTIL A 45 MINUTE FLT EARLIER THAT DAY. BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE RETURN FLT, HE PERFORMED A PREFLT INSPN & ENG RUN-UP OF THE ACFT & NOTED NO CONTAMINANTS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM OR ENG MALFUNCTION. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF 300 FT, THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, THEN QUIT. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT NOSED OVER AFTER TOUCHING DOWN IN A FIELD. ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS WAS DAMAGED, BUT THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE OTHER FUEL TANK WAS CHECKED FOR CONTAMINATION, NONE WAS FOUND. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE REPORTED TEMP WAS 77 & THE DEW POINT 62, WHICH WAS IN THE 'SERIOUS ICING-GLIDE POWER' RANGE OF THE CARB ICING PROBABILITY CHART.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 EST
Nearest AirportHornando County (0nm N)
Runway20
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftZimmerman Varieze
Tail NumberN16CS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCulpepper David G
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 23000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data