# NTSB LAX89DUJ06: Murphy VARI-EZE, N8494J, Parker, AZ, April 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1989, 06:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: Parker, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.079227, -114.219146 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0792&lon=-114.2191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DUJ06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DUJ06

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE HOME-BUILT EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO AN AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP LOT LOCATED APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE SHORT OF RUNWAY 1 AT AVI SUQUILLA AIRPORT, PARKER, ARIZONA. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND FIRE, AND SEVERAL TRUCKS AND CARS WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8494J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8494J-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 147 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MURPHY VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Murphy Ross B VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/murphy-ross-b-vari-eze) (registry code 05609HY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 147
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ross B. Murphy
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: P20, Avi Suqilla, runway 1, 4,782 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890405006159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890405006159A), Apr 5, 1989: Amtrru VARIEZE, Parker, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed and burned in a car dealer lot. Was making approach to airport in gusty wind conditions.

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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