# NTSB LAX89DVA11: Skilling VARI-EZE, N23EZ, Oakdale, CA, September 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1989, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Oakdale, CA
- Coordinates: 37.799873, -120.740066 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7999&lon=-120.7401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26158
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVA11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26158/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVA11

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE DELAYED INITIATION OF THE ABORTED LANDING. A FACTOR WAS LACK OF AIRCRAFT FAMILIARITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS RECEIVING A CHECKOUT IN THE AIRPLANE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT ONLY HAD A CONTROL YOKE AND DID NOT HAVE A THROTTLE. THE PVT PILOT ADDED FULL POWER, BUT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT BECOME AIRBORNE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE HILLY TERRAIN. THE PVT PILOT FAILED TO REDUCE THE POWER WHEN IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT GOING TO TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23EZ-1990-10-10), registration cancelled 1990-10-10, S/N 1592 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SKILLING VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Skilling Jim VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/skilling-jim-vari-eze) (registry code 05609UF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1592
- Airframe hours: 110
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel E. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: SCK, STOCKTON, CA
- Airport: 027, Oakdale, runway 28, 3,020 × 66 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 90 total, 10 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 22 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 19890928036939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890928036939A), Sep 28, 1989: Amtrru VARIEZE, Oakdale, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. During check out,flight landed on edge of runway,began go around. Failed to become airborne. Tumbled off end runway.

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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