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NTSB Report
September 21, 1987 · Ellsworth Varieze · N24GE
Lebanon, MO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lebanon, MO
Aircraft
Ellsworth Varieze
Tail Number
N24GE
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC87LA176
THE PIC WAS BACK-TAXIING DOWN RWY 18 WITH A PLANNED DEPT TO THE NORTH. THE PIC STATED THAT HE APPLIED BRAKES IN ORDER TO MODIFY HIS DIRECTION DURING THE TAXI, BUT THE BRAKE FAILED TO COMPENSATE. THE PIC FURTHER STATED THAT HE APPLIED MORE PWR IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT DIRECTION WHEN THE OPENED CANOPY FELL DOWN. THE PIC GRABBED THE CANOPY IN ORDER TO SECURE IT AND RELEASED CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE. DURING THIS SEQUENCE THE ACFT WAS INCREASING IN SPEED TOWARDS AN EMBANKMENT. THE PIC PULLED BACK ON THE FLT CONTROLS AND THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD INSUFFICIENT A/S TO REMAIN AIRBORNE AND IT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. THE ACFT THEN ROLLED A SHORT DISTANCE, BROKE THROUGH A FENCE, CROSSED A DITCH AND A ROAD, AND FINALLY CROSSED ANOTHER DITCH, COMING TO REST IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE ACFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED BY FIRE. EXAM OF THE BRAKES DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF A MALFUNCTION.
Full Narrative
THE PIC WAS BACK-TAXIING DOWN RWY 18 WITH A PLANNED DEPT TO THE NORTH. THE PIC STATED THAT HE APPLIED BRAKES IN ORDER TO MODIFY HIS DIRECTION DURING THE TAXI, BUT THE BRAKE FAILED TO COMPENSATE. THE PIC FURTHER STATED THAT HE APPLIED MORE PWR IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT DIRECTION WHEN THE OPENED CANOPY FELL DOWN. THE PIC GRABBED THE CANOPY IN ORDER TO SECURE IT AND RELEASED CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE. DURING THIS SEQUENCE THE ACFT WAS INCREASING IN SPEED TOWARDS AN EMBANKMENT. THE PIC PULLED BACK ON THE FLT CONTROLS AND THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD INSUFFICIENT A/S TO REMAIN AIRBORNE AND IT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. THE ACFT THEN ROLLED A SHORT DISTANCE, BROKE THROUGH A FENCE, CROSSED A DITCH AND A ROAD, AND FINALLY CROSSED ANOTHER DITCH, COMING TO REST IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE ACFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED BY FIRE. EXAM OF THE BRAKES DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF A MALFUNCTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 CDT
Nearest AirportLEBANON (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEllsworth Varieze
Tail NumberN24GE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-90 · Reciprocating · 90
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:00
Weather SourceWFAC