# NTSB LAX90DUG08: Selstad VARI-EZE, N1336K, Corona, CA, July 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1990, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUG08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUG08

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT, HIS IMPAIRMENT FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, AND INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT A LOW ALTITUDE, WHEN IT NOSED OVER & IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP DSCNT. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENG PRODUCING POWER BEFORE IMPACT.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND.  A TOXICOLOGY TEST OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ETHANOL LEVEL OF 0.03%.  THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK SHOWED HE HAD FLOWN THE ACFT 0.4 HRS DRG THE PREVIOUS 18 MOS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1336K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1336K-1990-09-25), registration cancelled 1990-09-25, S/N 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SELSTAD VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Selstad Norman VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/selstad-norman-vari-eze) (registry code 05609PE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1951
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman Selstad
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 4, 1990
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: F70, RANCHO CALIF, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 901 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19900714025599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900714025599A), Jul 14, 1990: Amtrru VARIEZE, Corona, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Witness saw homebuilt at low altitude dive into ground from level flight. Unable to ascertain pilot incapacitation.

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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