Amateur-built VARI-EZE accident near Clinton, Michigan, September 4, 1989
On September 4, 1989 at about 2:35 pm local time, a amateur-built VARI-EZE, registered N20VR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Clinton, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
UNDETERMINED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 1989 · about 2:35 pm local time
- Place
- Clinton, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VARI-EZE
- Registration
- N20VR · registry record · serial JR 200
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED ACROSS A DIRT ROAD AND RAN INTO A FENCE BEFORE IT CAME TO REST IN A DITCH. THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS UNDETERMINED.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,884 hours in all; 43 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 1,884 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 26, 1989; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,700 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-C3B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Clinton MI at 2:35 pm
- Destination: JXN Jackson MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 250 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.