# NTSB LAX86FVA08: Nelson/Nelson Varieze, N615EZ, Merced, CA, June 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1986, 10:38 local (17:38 UTC)
- Place: Merced, CA
- Coordinates: 37.350891, -120.419921 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3509&lon=-120.4199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FVA08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVA08

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - approach light/navaid
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT TO BE LOW AND SLOW WHEN THE WING COLLIDED WITH A LIGHT STANCHION (5' HIGH). THE LEFT WING BANKED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, HIT THE GROUND AND THE ACFT CARTWHEELED. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N615EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N615EZ-1989-11-30), registration cancelled 1989-11-30, S/N 615 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NELSON/NELSON VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Nelson/Nelson VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-nelson-varieze) (registry code 056096F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 615
- Airframe hours: 54
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard F. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 6, 1986, 54 hours before
- Departed: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
- Destination: MCE, MERCED, CA
- Airport: MCE, Merced Muni, runway 30, 5,903 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 391 total, 39 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCE, 1 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 19860607081419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860607081419A), Jun 7, 1986: Amtrru VARIEZE, Merced, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck a light stanchion on short final. Pilot was flying a low and slow approach pattern.

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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