# NTSB FTW82FPD13: Varieze, N111CH, Roanoke, TX, June 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1982, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Roanoke, TX
- Location: 33.0147° N, 97.2290° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Roanoke, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0147&lon=-97.2290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FPD13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPD13

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command
  - wing,winglet - failure,total (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
  - wing,winglet - separation (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ABOUT 5 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT INITIATED A HIGH SPEED LOW PASS OVER THE AIRPORT. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 1000 FT FROM THE AIRPORT AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE RIGHT WINGLET SEPARATED. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT'S SPEED WAS ABOUT 200 MPH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE ROLLED INVERTED AND CRASHED. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE WINGLET WAS NOT INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE TO THE DESIGNER'S PLANS. SPECIFICALLY, THE PLANS CALLED FOR AN 8-PLY FIBERGLASS BUILD-UP ON THE OUTSIDE RADIUS FROM THE LOWER WING TO THE OUTSIDE SURFACE OF THE WINGLET. FIBERGLASS BUILD-UP WAS NOT INCORPORTED. THE DESIGNER ESTIMATED THAT IT HAD LESS THAN 1/20 OF THE DESIGN STRENGTH. AT HIGH SPEED, WITH ZERO SIDE SLIP, THERE IS AN INWARD AERODYNAMIC (BENDING) LOAD ON THE WINGLET THAT IS EQUIVALENT TO A 15 DEG SIDE SLIP AT LOW SPEED. THIS WINGLET HAD FAILED INWARD. ALSO, A NUMBER OF OTHER DEVIATIONS FROM THE DESIGNERS PLANS WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N111CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N111CH-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 2012, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Hammond Charles RAF VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/hammond-charles-raf-varieze) (registry code 05609GS) (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: 212
- Airframe hours: 77
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles E. Hammond
- Registered owner: Charles E. Hammond
- Departed: ROANOKE, TX
- Destination: ROANOKE, TX
- Airport: Aero Valley, runway 17, 3,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 330 total, 77 in this make and model, 73 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820620025709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820620025709A), Jun 20, 1982: Amtrru VARIEZE, Roanoke, TX, Destroyed. Winglet root wing tip and wing skin failed in high speed pass over runway, crashed inverted. Improper construction.

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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