N88KL

On March 26, 2022, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built VariEze, N88KL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mojave, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the pilot-rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he departed from runway 26, and turned left to the south. About 500 ft above ground level (agl), the engine lost total power. As the pilot continued the left turn back toward the airport, he realized that the airplane would not reach the runway and he chose to land in open desert terrain. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with vegetation and the landing gear separated, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage undercarriage.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the air intake duct between the air filter box and the carburetor was damaged during the accident sequence and partially separated from the airplane. The ducting was about 2 inches in diameter and consistent with Sceet tubing with both an inner and outer silicone-impregnated cloth with a wire coil between the layers. The Sceet tubing was disassembled and exhibited debonding of the inner and outer layer. Oil and debris that was not consistent with the accident sequence was present between the debonded area. The separation of the inner layer was consistent with unsupported areas during a negative pressure flow during engine operation.