Summary
On June 19, 1994, a Riley, Donald RUTAN VARIEZE (N111DR) was involved in an accident near Fort Lupton, CO. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: BLOCKAGE OF THE OIL SCAVENGE PUMP BY FOREIGN MATERIAL WHICH WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE ENGINE DURING MAINTENANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
On June 19, 1994, at 1130 mountain daylight time, a homebuilt Varieze, N111DR, struck power lines while conducting a forced landing due to a loss of power 2 miles west of Fort Lupton, Colorado. The pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
The flight departed Olathe Kansas, at 0800 with an intended destination of Longmont, Colorado.
According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight when the engine lost oil pressure and a total loss of power occurred. He said he attempted to land on a highway but struck a power line during approach.
Examination of the engine provided evidence of a large piece of paper towel appearing material in the oil sump.
This accident is documented in NTSB report FTW94LA202. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N111DR.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
BLOCKAGE OF THE OIL SCAVENGE PUMP BY FOREIGN MATERIAL WHICH WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE ENGINE DURING MAINTENANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 19, 1994, at 1130 mountain daylight time, a homebuilt Varieze, N111DR, struck power lines while conducting a forced landing due to a loss of power 2 miles west of Fort Lupton, Colorado. The pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
The flight departed Olathe Kansas, at 0800 with an intended destination of Longmont, Colorado.
According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight when the engine lost oil pressure and a total loss of power occurred. He said he attempted to land on a highway but struck a power line during approach.
Examination of the engine provided evidence of a large piece of paper towel appearing material in the oil sump. This piece of material had plugged the oil pick up resulting in oil starvation to the engine.
Available information indicates the engine had maintenance performed on a cylinder a short time prior to this trip and that the piece of material may have been introduced into the engine at that time.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW94LA202