# NTSB DEN89DTE03: Galbreath Variviggen, N34VV, Falcon, CO, May 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1989, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Falcon, CO
- Coordinates: 39.029083, -104.479118 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0291&lon=-104.4791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89DTE03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17552/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89DTE03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS NEWLY COMPLETED HOMEBUILT. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE PROPER CONTROL INPUTS AND THE LACK OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE AIRCRAFT KIT MANUFACTURER ARE CONSIDERED AS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,elevator - erratic (contributing factor)
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - instructions,written/verbal - information insufficient, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE MAIDEN FLT FOR THIS NEWLY COMPLETED HOMEBUILT. IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST FLT IN THIS MAKE/MDL FOR THE PLT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WENT THROUGH SEVERAL RADICAL PITCH CHANGES IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT OFF BEFORE NOSE DIVING INTO THE GROUND NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. ACCORDING TO THE DESIGNER OF THE ACFT, THE REAR MOUNTED ENG RESULTS IN A NOSE DOWN TENDENCY DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND THE STICK MUST BE HELD AFT. AFTER THE ACFT BECOMES AIRBORNE AND BEGINS TO ACCELERATE THE STICK FORCES BECOME NORMAL. HE SAID THE COMPANY ENCOURAGES PLTS TO TAKE AN ORIENTATION RIDE WITH SOMEONE FAMILIAR WITH THE ACFT PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST FLT. THE PLT IN THIS CASE HAD NOT HAD AN ORIENTATION RIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34VV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34VV-1990-08-13), registration cancelled 1990-08-13, S/N 550 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GALBREATH VARIVIGGEN
- Registry model: [Galbreath Terry S VARIVIGGEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/galbreath-terry-s-variviggen) (registry code 05609BE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 550
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Terry S. Galbreath
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1989
- Departed: 00V
- Destination: 00V
- Airport: OOV, Meadowlake, runway 15, 4,150 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 191 total, 138 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19890507010959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890507010959A), May 7, 1989: Amtrru VARIVIGGEN, Falcon, CO, Substantial damage. Lost control on liftoff on first test flight and crashed 75 feet off side of runway. No flight check as recommended

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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