# NTSB MIA91LA125: Rutan Aircraft Factory Vari EZE, N32F, Panama City, FL, April 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1991, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Panama City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.170772, -85.66999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1708&lon=-85.6700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA125

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE WHILE CONDUCTING AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER, RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED ON A VFR FLIGHT IN VFR CONDITIONS.  NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED.  THE PLT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT BUZZING HOUSES, TREETOPS, AND FLYING LOW ABOVE THE OCEAN. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TRAVELING NORTHBOUND TOWARD THE SHORELINE AT 50 TO 60 FEET AGL.  THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A VERTICAL CLIMB, AND THEN THE NOSE TILTED TOWARDS THE WEST IN A DESCENT, AND THE AIRPLANE WAS HEADING EASTBOUND WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH THE OCEAN. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED.  THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS KILLED.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE STRUCTURE, PROPELLER, FLIGHT CONTROLS, ENGINE AND ACCESSORIES REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32F-1995-02-06), registration cancelled 1995-02-06, S/N C1AMA1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rutan Aircraft Factory VARI EZE
- Registry model: [Sherman Walter C VARI EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/sherman-walter-c-vari-eze) (registry code 056903F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: C1AMA1
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walter C. Sherman
- Registered owner: Walter C. Sherman
- Departed: PFN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: PFN, 5 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 19910421011559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910421011559A), Apr 21, 1991: Amtrru VARIEZE, Panama City, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Buzzed area and engaged in low level acrobatics. Pulled up vertical dive but too low to recover. Impacted in gulf.

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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