# NTSB LAX90DVM02: Link VARI-EZE, N144BE, Hollister, CA, March 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1990, 17:40 local (Mar 6, 1990, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Hollister, CA
- Coordinates: 36.889934, -121.23941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8899&lon=-121.2394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DVM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVM02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND.  THE SUNGLARE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 24 DIRECTLY INTO THE SETTING SUN.  HE NOTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE HIS INSTRUMENT PANEL DUE TO THE SUN GLARE AND THAT HE MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE AND RATE OF SINK.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE SHORT OF THE THRESHOLD AND CARTWHEELED TO A STOP ON THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N144BE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N144BE-1997-12-06), registration cancelled 1997-12-06, S/N 46 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LINK VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Link Richard N VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/link-richard-n-varieze) (registry code 05690R7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 46
- Airframe hours: 26
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Link, Richard N.
- Registered owner: Richard N Link
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1989, 26 hours before
- Departed: 307
- Destination: 307
- Airport: 307, Hollister Muni, runway 24, 3,150 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,008 total, 26 in this make and model, 2,008 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19900305003499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900305003499A), Mar 5, 1990: Amtrru VARIEZE, Hollister, CA, Destroyed. On short final for the runway, struck a fence.

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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