Aviation Crash Map

Rutan VARI-EZE N29Z

8 May 1987 · Renton, Washington, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 8 May 1987 at about 01:45 local time, a Rutan VARI-EZE registered N29Z, operated by Richard Hess, was involved in an accident near Renton, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause statement is available for this record.

The record

Date
at 01:45
Classification
Accident
Location
Renton, Washington, United States
Coordinates
47.3900, -122.2602
Aircraft
Rutan VARI-EZE
Registration
N29Z
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Richard Hess
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
SEA87LA090

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. No probable cause statement is present in the source data.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE BEING HAND PROPPED THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO MOVE. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB INSIDE THE AIRCRAFT BUT THE CANOPY HAD CLOSED. THE PILOT HELD ONTO THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS DRAGGED ACROSS THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A PARKED, UNOCCUPIED AIRCRAFT AND THEN A FENCE BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE PILOT DISCOVERED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Rutan VARI accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
9 Aug 2020 Rutan VARI EZE
N2ZE
Kelso Valley, California, United States - Serious injuries -

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
1 Jun 1987 Aerodynamics HAWK MKII
N5832M
Ellensburg, Washington, United States ROD Pederson No injuries -
3 Jun 1987 Cessna T210L
N2222S
Dayton, Washington, United States
no coordinates
FMT Corporation No injuries -
3 Jun 1987 Hughes 269C
N9606F
Vancouver, Washington, United States
no coordinates
- Minor injuries -
8 Jun 1987 De Havilland DHC-2 MK.1
N64384
Sedro Woolley, Washington, United States James Hayton Minor injuries -
6 Jun 1987 Cessna 172P
N65994
Snohomish, Washington, United States Galvin Ying Service, Inc. No injuries -
14 Jun 1987 Piper PA-28-160
N5458W
Odessa, Washington, United States Larry Zagelow No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States