# NTSB ATL99LA043: Trohoski VARI-EZE, N721NT, Tupelo, MS, January 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 13, 1999, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Tupelo, MS - Location: 34.2690° N, 88.7699° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TUPELO RGNL (TUP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2690&lon=-88.7699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45651 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45651/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA043 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare and compensation for wind conditions upon landing. Factors in the accident were the pilot's inadequate recurrent training and lack of experience with the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated, on final approach at 10 to 15 feet AGL and performing the landing flare, a gust of wind caught the airplane causing it to pitch up 30 to 40 degrees. The pilot overcorrected the airplane and collided with the runway. Inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector noted, no mechanical discrepancies and both engine and flight control continuity was established. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot received minor injuries. During a review of the aircraft records by the FAA, the last annual inspection recorded was June 6, 1987. The aircraft was operated with no airworthiness certificate, no registration certificate, no conditional inspection, nor did the pilot have a current flight review. The pilot had not flown since 1994. ## Factual narrative On January 13, 1999, at 1030 central standard time, an experimental amateur built Trohoski Vari-eze, N721NT, nosed over at Tupelo Municipal Airport in Tupelo, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by the certificated, non-current owner/private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local pleasure flight. The pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane departed Tupelo Municipal Airport, Tupelo, Mississippi, at 1026. The pilot stated, on final approach at 10 to 15 feet AGL and performing the landing flare, a gust of wind caught the airplane causing it to pitch up 30 to 40 degrees. The pilot believes he overcorrected and drove the airplane into the runway. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who visited the site, no mechanical discrepancies were noted with the aircraft and both engine and flight control continuity was established. The nose gear and main landing gear were sheared off. Damage was noted to the wooden spar in the main wing and the leading canard wing was broken off. During a review of the aircraft records by the FAA, the last annual inspection recorded was June 6, 1987. The aircraft was operated with no airworthiness certificate, no registration certificate, no conditional inspection, nor did the pilot have a current flight review. The pilot had not flown since 1994. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N721NT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N721NT-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 731, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Trohoski VARI-EZE - Registry model: [Trohoski VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/trohoski-vari-eze) (registry code 0560958) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 731 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dan M. Gibson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1987 - Departed: TUP, TUPELO, MS - Destination: TUP - Airport: TUP, Tupelo Municipal, runway 18, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,200 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUP ## 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 19990113000429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990113000429A), Jan 13, 1999: Amtr VARIEZE, Tupelo, MS, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of acft during landing. No other info available. (From .4) the pilot stated, on final approach at 10 to 15 feet AGL and performing the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.