# NTSB LAX83FUJ15: Grau VARI-EZE, N79AA, Tucson, AZ, August 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1983, 19:04 local (Aug 2, 1983, 02:04 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.540706, -110.950805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5407&lon=-110.9508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUJ15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUJ15

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT MAKE 4 LOW PASSES, 200-300 FT AGL. ON THE LAST PASS THE ACFT PULLED UP INO ABOUT A 30 DEG NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE & START A RIGHT ROLL. THE NOSE BEGAN TO DROP, & AS THE ROLL WAS COMPLETED THE ACFT WAS IN ABOUT A 80 DEG NOSE LOW, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. IT IMPACTED THE GROWND IN A 30 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79AA-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 1096, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRAU VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Grau Charles V VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/grau-charles-v-varieze) (registry code 05609AF) (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: SN 1096
- Airframe hours: 12
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles V. Graw
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1983, 12 hours before
- Departed: RYN
- Destination: RYN
- Airport: RYN, Ryan Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 14 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 19830801039589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830801039589A), Aug 1, 1983: Amtrru VARIEZE, Tucson, AZ, Destroyed. Failed to recover from a low altitude roll. Impacted desert floor in level attitude. Alcohol found in pilots blood.

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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