James O'Bert Vari-Eze accident near Columbus, GA
On July 19, 2009, a James O'Bert Vari-Eze (airplane) was involved in an accident near Columbus, GA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 19, 2009
- Place
- Columbus, GA
- Aircraft
- James O'Bert Vari-Eze · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 32.516°N, 84.939°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090719X22727
Official records · ERA09LA412
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 19, 2009, about 1815 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Rutan VariEze, N39DX, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tractor during a low approach at Columbus Regional Airport (CSG), Columbus, Georgia. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to witness statements, the pilot was going to practice takeoffs and landings (touch and goes) on runway 31. Just prior to the accident, the airplane had taken off, entered a left hand traffic pattern, and was cleared by air traffic control for the option which would allow the pilot to either land or execute a low approach. After descending from pattern altitude the airplane then landed and took off again. The airplane was then observed flying over the runway at approximately 30 feet above ground level in a level attitude. The engine was heard to pop, sputter, and then hesitate. The airplane then "veered" off the runway heading to the right and struck the side of a hangar with its right wing. The right wing separated from the airplane. The airplane then began a roll to the right, skipped off the top of a shed, and continued to roll until inverted. It then impacted an unoccupied tractor and broke apart. According to voice data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was cleared for the option at 1812:07. The pilot acknowledged the clearance at 1812:13. Approximately 2 minutes later at 1814:
Probable cause
The pilots improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
More accidents in GA
- Embraer EMB-120RT, Apr 5, 1991
- Cessna 208, Sep 29, 1985
- Beech 400, Dec 11, 1991
- Embraer EMB-120RT, Aug 21, 1995
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, Apr 20, 1982
Browse: Georgia
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
