# NTSB LAX84FA129: Yaple, Robert G. VARI-EZE, N1050G, Bowie, AZ, January 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1984, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Bowie, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.279762, -109.499313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2798&lon=-109.4993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23925
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23925/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA129

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible
  - stall - uncontrolled
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DESPITE 2 WX BRIEFINGS FORECASTING MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS WITH REPORTS OF ICING, THE PLT DEPARTED ON A FLT IN THE NON-IFR EQUIPPED ACFT. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, TRANSMISSIONS BETWEEN THE PLT & ATC INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS IN A SNOW SHOWER BETWEEN CLOUD LAYERS AT 13,500 FT & WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB TO VFR CONDITIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT BROKE UP IN FLT & THE WRECKAGE WAS DISTRIBUTED OVER A 2 MI AREA. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE PRIOR TO THE IN-FLT BREAKUP. A METEOROLOGICAL SUMMARY DETERMINED THAT ICING OF AT LEAST MODERATE INTENSITY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED FROM 6000 TO 14,000 FT. THE PLT HAD BEEN AWAY FROM HOME FOR OVER 2 WEEKS & HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERAL WX RELATED DELAYS IN THE PREVIOUS 2 DAYS. A FRIEND REPORTED THAT HE WAS SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO WORK & THAT THE PASSENGER(HIS SON) HAD TO RETURN TO SCHOOL THE FOLLOWING DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1050G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1050G-2014-09-08), registration cancelled 2014-09-08, S/N 727, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: YAPLE, ROBERT G. VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Yaple Robert G VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/yaple-robert-g-varieze) (registry code 05609CE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 727
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-F2B 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald Reidel Stith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: LRU, LAS CRUCES, NM
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Airport: E54, Bowie

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 513 total, 203 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 75 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 19840102000069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840102000069A), Jan 2, 1984: Amtrru VARIEZE, Bowie, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Continued VFR into area of snow,low clouds and freezing rain. Lost control. Aircraft disintegrated over 2 mile area.

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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