Amateur-built Vari Eze accident near Arlington, Washington, June 2, 2008
On June 2, 2008 at about 5:50 pm local time, a amateur-built Vari Eze, registered N644VZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Arlington, Washington (Arlington Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 2008 · about 5:50 pm local time
- Place
- Arlington, Washington · Arlington Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Vari Eze
- Registration
- N644VZ · no longer on the register · serial 237-A
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While the amateur-built airplane was on the base leg of the traffic pattern at the destination airport, the pilot advanced the throttle forward. The engine did not respond and subsequently lost power. The pilot decided to land in a field below and the airplane nosed over during the landing roll. According to the pilot, the engine had a history of losing power as a result of air entering the fuel system. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and stated that postaccident manipulation of the cockpit throttle control revealed that the throttle cable outer housing would slip out of the throttle quadrant and as a consequence the throttle arm on the engine fuel body would not move. It could not be determined if this discrepancy was a result of the impact. No evidence of any other mechanical discrepancies were noted with the engine.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 600 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AWO Arlington WA at 5:00 pm
- Destination: AWO Arlington WA
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,700 ft; clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from AWO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.