# NTSB LAX89DVM03: Beard Varieze, N226RB, Palo Alto, CA, December 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1988, 08:54 local (16:54 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.449947, -122.099624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4499&lon=-122.0996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVM03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat control - inadequate (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED 200 FT SHORT OF THE RWY IN A POND AND NOSED OVER. WITNESSES HEARD THE SOUNDS OF LOW POWER. EVIDENCE OF LOW/NO POWER WAS SHOWN BY THE PROP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT UNAPPROVED ENGINE MODS WERE MADE BY PILOT/OWNER. AN UNTESTED CARB HEAT SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED. THE CONTROL CABLE SYSTEM WAS NOT PROPERLY MOUNTED IN THE COCKPIT; IT WAS LOOSE NEAR THE CONTROL STICK WITH NO VISIBLE MEANS OF BEING HELD IN THE CARB HEAT ON POSITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE CARB HEAT AIR DUCT, MOUNTED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE NO.4 EXHAUST PIPE, HAD NO PROVISIONS ON THE INLET OF THE DUCT TO CONCENTRATE HEATED AIR FOR PREVENTION OF CARBURETOR ICE. CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING EXISTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N226RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N226RB-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 2120, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEARD VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Beard Robert W VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/beard-robert-w-varieze) (registry code 05609NJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2120
- Airframe hours: 1627
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beard, Robert Wayne
- Registered owner: Robert Wayne Beard
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: NONE, SWANSBORO, CA
- Destination: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,627 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19881213054099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881213054099A), Dec 13, 1988: Amtrru VARIEZE, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Landed short and overturned in a muddy pond. Trapped, possibly drowned. Carb had incorrect heat control.

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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