Amateur-built VARIEZE,LONG EZ accident near Chanute, Kansas, July 1, 1992
On July 1, 1992 at about 6:12 pm local time, a amateur-built VARIEZE,LONG EZ, registered N18VL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chanute, Kansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A DELAMINATION AND INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF A PROPELLER BLADE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 1, 1992 · about 6:12 pm local time
- Place
- Chanute, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VARIEZE,LONG EZ VARIEZE,LO
- Registration
- N18VL · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE DEVELOPED A SEVERE VIBRATION DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. THE MAGNITUDE OF THE VIBRATION VARIED WITH THE POWER SETTING. THE PILOT SUSPECTED A BROKEN PROPELLER OR ENGINE MOUNT. HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A PASTURE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FOUND ALL ENGINE MOUNTS INTACT. THE WOODEN PROPELLER BROKE DURING THE GROUND IMPACT. BOTH FIBER GLASS COVERS FOR THE PROPELLER TIPS WERE RECOVERED. ONLY ONE COVER HAD WOOD ATTACHED TO IT.
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: private
- Flight time: 120 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 100 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 1992; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FWS Ft. Worth TX at 3:20 pm
- Destination: TOP Topeka KS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 17 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:52 pm from CNU, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.