# NTSB LAX82FVD15: Rutan Varieze, N4SN, Concord, CA, April 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1982, 12:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Concord, CA
- Location: 37.9722° N, 122.0016° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Concord, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9722&lon=-122.0016&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVD15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVD15

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING LANDING THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, THUS OBSTRUCTING HIS VIEW OF THE RUNWAY. BY THE TIME HE GOT THE NOSE DOWN ENOUGH TO SEE OVER IT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DRIFTING OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. HE APPLIED LEFT BRAKING ACTION TO STEER THE PLANE BACK TO THE RUNWAY, BUT HE WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID THE RUNWAY LIGHTS. THE FIXED MAIN GEAR AND RETRACTABLE NOSE GEAR WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4SN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4SN-2008-12-18), registration cancelled 2008-12-18, S/N 133, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RUTAN VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Ridge VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/ridge-varieze) (registry code 0560976) (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: 133
- Airframe hours: 167
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: C. B. Moore
- Registered owner: C. B. Moore
- Departed: CONCORD, CA
- Destination: CONCORD, CA
- Airport: runway 1, 2,768 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 713 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19820415013449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820415013449A), Apr 15, 1982: Amtrru VARIEZE, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. View restricted on nose high landing. Ran off side of runway. Wiped out landing gear on a runway light.

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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