# NTSB LAX83LA286: Johnson VARI-EZE, N36RJ, Palo Alto, CA, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1983, 15:47 local (22:47 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Location: 37.3965° N, 122.1431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palo Alto, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3965&lon=-122.1431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA286

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE HIS LANDINGS AND REDUCE THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRSPEED ON FINAL WAS 10 MPH LESS THAN NORMALLY USED. HE WAS ALSO ATTEMPTING TO TOUCHDOWN ON THE NUMBERS AT THE THRESHOLD. THE ACFT'S LANDING GEAR STRUCK A SMALL DIKE APRX 150 FEET PRIOR TO THE RWY THRESHOLD AND COLLAPSED. THE ACFT CAME TO A STOP APRX 100 FEET DOWN THE RWY FROM THE THRESHOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36RJ-1989-03-06), registration cancelled 1989-03-06, S/N 130 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHNSON VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Johnston Ray VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnston-ray-varieze) (registry code 05609BG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 130
- Airframe hours: 215
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Goosman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1982
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 398 total, 54 in this make and model, 336 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO

## 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 19830605022679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830605022679A), Jun 5, 1983: Amtrru VARIEZE, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft landing gear hit dike and collapsed gear during pilot's attempt to make short field landing.

## Other investigations on N36RJ (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX86LUQ02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LUQ02), Feb 10, 1986: Rutan Varieze (N36RJ), Los Almos, CA, substantial damage

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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