# NTSB LAX83FA048: Varieze Ruatan, N1182Z, Riverside, CA, December 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1982, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Riverside, CA
- Location: 33.9533° N, 117.3961° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Riverside, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9533&lon=-117.3961&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA048

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - fuel system,strainer - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,filter - contamination (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED HE HEARD AND SAW THE AIRCRAFT FLYING (RATHER SLOW AND LOW) OVER THE CANYON. HE HEARD THE ENGINE "SPUTTERING" AND THEN OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT APPEAR TO STALL FOLLOWED BY A STEEP DESCENT INTO THE HILLY TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AT THE 1300 FOOT LEVEL ON A STEEP HILLSIDE AND EXPLODED. POST IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED ALL BUT PORTIONS OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT WING, WINGLETS, ENGINE PROPELLER HUB, AIR SCOOP AND PORTIONS OF THE COCKPIT INSTRUMENTATION. THE BASIC ENGINE SHOWED NO PREIMPACT FAILURE AND AMPLE LUBRICATION WAS EVIDENT. BOTH MAGNETOS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE FUEL GASCOLATOR BOWL WAS CONTAMINATED, AS WERETHE FILTER SCREENS, WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE FIBERGLASS/EPOXY RESIN SHAVINGS AND DUST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1182Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1182Z-1983-04-09), registration cancelled 1983-04-09, S/N 1331 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VARIEZE RUATAN
- Registry model: [Macdowell Lloyd J JR VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/macdowell-lloyd-j-jr-varieze) (registry code 05609NW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Unknown, amateur-built
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 2600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lloyd J Macdowell, Jr.
- Registered owner: Lloyd J Macdowell, Jr.
- Departed: RIVERSIDE, CA
- Destination: RIVERSIDE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 107 total, 8 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 162 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 15 nm away

## 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 19821205062189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821205062189A), Dec 5, 1982: Amtrru VARIEZE, Riverside, CA, Destroyed. Stalled, entered steep descent after power loss. Fuel in gascolator bowl contaminated with fiberglass shavings.

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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