# NTSB LAX83FA346: Varieze 1, N69EZ, Mojave, CA, July 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1983, 08:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Mojave, CA
- Coordinates: 35.070552, -118.180213 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0706&lon=-118.1802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23475
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA346
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23475/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA346

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE PLT PURCHASED THE ACFT A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE PLT STATED TO RUTAN AIRCRAFT FACTORY PERSONNEL THAT HE HAD NEVER FLOWN THIS TYPE OF ACFT IN THE PAST & WAS AFRAID OF THE ACFT. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PLT TAXI THE ACFT AROUND THE ARPT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE TAKING OFF AT 0740. AT 0839 THE ACFT ENTERED THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 22. AS THE ACFT APPROACHED RWY 22 ON FINAL THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN, FOLLOWED BY A 180 DEG ROLL TO THE LEFT IN A DOWNWARD ATTITUDE. THE ACFT IMPACTED A CROSSING RWY IN AN INVERTED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69EZ-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 41, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VARIEZE 1
- Registry model: [Carter Conlan VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/carter-conlan-varieze) (registry code 05609ML) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 41
- Airframe hours: 81
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard James Carpenter
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 1983, 2 hours before
- Airport: MHV, Mojave, runway 22, 9,600 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 124 total, 1 in this make and model, 76 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19830719033709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830719033709A), Jul 19, 1983: Amtrru VARIEZE, Mojave, CA, Destroyed. Lost control of aircraft on final. Fatal impact with runway destroyed aircraft. Reported he was afraid of aircraft.

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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