Amateur-built VARI EZ accident near Ambler, Pennsylvania, September 24, 2017
On September 24, 2017 at about 9:15 pm local time, a 1984 amateur-built VARI EZ, registered N830S, was substantially damaged in an accident during prior to flight near Ambler, Pennsylvania (Wings Field Airport). 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
Water contamination of the fuel that was not detected during a preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 24, 2017 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Ambler, Pennsylvania · Wings Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VARI EZ, built 1984
- Registration
- N830S · no longer on the register · serial 2069
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was conducting a personal flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane. During the initial climb, the engine lost total power when the airplane was about 200 ft above ground level. The airplane descended and impacted trees beyond the departure threshold; the airplane was destroyed. A witness reported hearing the engine "sputter," and another witness reported that the engine sounded like it did not reach full rpm during takeoff. An engine examination revealed that the gascolator and carburetor contained water-contaminated fuel. The examination did not reveal any other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Due to his injuries, the pilot was unable to recall the events leading up to the accident. Although he indicated that he routinely completed thorough preflight inspections, he likely either did not sample the fuel or did not adequately eliminate water from the fuel before takeoff. Thus, it is likely that the loss of engine power was due to water contamination of the fuel.
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
What happened, in order
- Fuel contamination during prior to flight defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel storage › Damaged/degraded
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 691 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 1, 2017
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C (piston); 691 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LOM Blue Bell PA at 5:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 06, 3,700 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 9:15 pm from LOM, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on November 4, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Fuel Receipt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum of Record - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Weather Observations | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Memorandum for Record - Engine Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.