# NTSB ATL81FKW05: Varieze 1, N111EZ, Signal Mt, TN, November 13, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 13, 1980
- Place: Signal Mt, TN · SIGNAL MT, TN
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 22, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FKW05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FKW05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2868  80/11/13   SIGNAL MT,TN        VARIEZE 1           CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 36, 700
        TIME - 1730                    N111EZ              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 158 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          COLLEGEDALE,TN              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SUNGLARE
        REMARKS- HIT TREES NR PLT'S HOME AT OR NR SUNSET.SUN WAS SETTING APRX 10DEG R OF FINAL HEADING.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N111EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N111EZ-1991-03-13), registration cancelled 1991-03-13, S/N RJS1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VARIEZE 1
- Registry model: [Swander VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/swander-varieze) (registry code 05609D3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19801113063809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801113063809A), Nov 13, 1980: Amtrru VARIEZE, Signal Mountain, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Buzzed area at dusk, struck trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
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