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September 2, 2007 · Werner Vari-Eze · N547DB

Tooele, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tooele, UT
Aircraft
Werner Vari-Eze
Tail Number
N547DB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA07LA276

The pilot said that as he approached his destination, he noticed a large thunderstorm over the airport. He said that his wingman elected to land, but radioed back to him that it was very bumpy. The pilot said that his first two attempts at landing ended with go-arounds due to severe turbulence. On his third attempt, he lost engine power and selected a field for a forced landing. During the forced landing, he encountered severe wind shear (downdraft) on two occasions. During his landing flare, the airplane's main landing gear impacted a ditch and separated from the fuselage. Photographs of the wreckage indicate that the outboard right wing skin had delaminated from the spar and both wing root areas exhibited visible cracks in the upper wing skin. An aerospace engineer from the National Transportation Safety Board said the cracks above the main spar carry through structure indicate hidden damage in the spar. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector and the pilot examined the airplane in the field. They identified no abnormalities with the engine; the reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and the wind shear conditions encountered during the forced landing attempt.

Full Narrative

On September 2, 2007, at 0915 mountain daylight time, a Werner Vari-Eze homebuilt experimental airplane, N547DB, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Tooele Municipal Airport (KNB), Tooele, Utah. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal, cross-country flight that originated from Kanab, Utah, approximately one hour before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that he preflighted his airplane and departed Kanab, with another airplane (a flight of two), at approximately 0818. He said the flight was uneventful but for deviating east of their planned course for thunderstorms. During their descent to Tooele Municipal Airport, they noticed a large thunderstorm over their destination. The other pilot elected to land. He radioed the pilot and said "it was very bumpy, but thought I could handle it." The pilot said he got into severe turbulence on final and elected to go-around. His second approach also terminated with a go-around. During his third approach he had a total loss of engine power. He turned the airplane towards the airfield, but encountered "severe wind shear (down draft)." He picked a field for a forced landing, but he encountered another down draft. During his landing flare, the airplane's main landing gear impacted a ditch and separated from the fuselage. Photographs of the wreckage indicate that the outboard right wing skin had delaminated from the spar and both wing root areas exhibited visible cracks in the upper wing skin. An aerospace engineer from the National Transportation Safety Board said the cracks above the main spar carry through structure indicate hidden damage in the spar. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector and the pilot examined the airplane in the field. They identified no abnormalities with the engine; the reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 MDT
Nearest AirportTooele Valley Field (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length6100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWerner Vari-Eze
Tail NumberN547DB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-B · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 10 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time14:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data