Amateur-built VARI-EZE accident near Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, May 17, 1987
On May 17, 1987 at about 9:04 pm local time, a amateur-built VARI-EZE, registered N785, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ebensburg, Pennsylvania (Ebensburg airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 1987 · about 9:04 pm local time
- Place
- Ebensburg, Pennsylvania · Ebensburg · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VARI-EZE
- Registration
- N785 · registry record · serial 1156
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE VARI-EZE WAS PART OF A THREE SHIP FLYBY AT AN AIRSHOW. THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO BREAK FORMATION AND TURN DOWNWIND FOR A LANDING. A WITNESS REPORTED THE ENGINE SPUTTERING. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A OPEN FIELD NEXT TO THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THERE WAS RUST COLORED WATER IN THE FUEL BOWL AND RUST STAIN ON THE SIDE OF THE BOWL. IN ADDITION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FUEL LINES FROM THE MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE LOWER THEN THE GASCOLATOR.
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
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 469 hours in all; 58 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 13, 1986; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.