# NTSB LAX83FA246: Herpst Varieze, N882BF, Portola, CA, May 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1983, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Portola, CA
- Coordinates: 39.720565, -120.570083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7206&lon=-120.5701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA246

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, unknown
  - fluid,fuel - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HOME BUILT ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED ON RISING TERRAIN WHILE THE PLT & PASSENGER WERE ON A SIGHT-SEEING FLT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF 7000 FT, THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APRX 10000 FT. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED APRX 290 FT ALONG A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. ABOUT 40 MILES EAST OF THE CRASH SITE, THE WIND WAS FROM 360 DEG AT 10 KTS. THE PLT HAD BEEN USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN THE ENG. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED, 'AUTO GAS, ESPECIALLY THE HIGH AEROMATIC CONTENT NO-LEAD, SHOULD NOT BE USED.' NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT STRUCTURAL FAILURE WAS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N882BF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HERPST VARIEZE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 882
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 D 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roland Gordon Herbst
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 3, 1983
- Departed: 002, BECKWOURTH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 40 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 19830523020739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830523020739A), May 23, 1983: Amtrru VARIEZE, Portola, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees in rising terrain at a 10,000 foot density altitude. No mechanical defects noted. Pilot used auto fuel

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.