# NTSB MIA92LA057: Walter R. Penney VARI-EZE, N12WP, Lamar, MS, January 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1992, 17:59 local (23:59 UTC)
- Place: Lamar, MS
- Coordinates: 34.910892, -89.310981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9109&lon=-89.3110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA057

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS DEPARTURE INTO AND CONTINUED FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WHILE OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES RESULTING IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES AND THEN THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - fog
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

AIRLINE TRANSPORT RATED PLT RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS FROM FAA FSS JUST PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. IN BOTH BRIEFINGS VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE ACFT WAS NOT IFR EQUIPPED. PLT DID NOT FILE A FLT PLAN. FLT DEPARTED AND WITNESSES OBSERVED IT ENTER CLOUDS AND DISAPPEAR. ONE AND A QUARTER HOURS LATER GROUND WITNESSES HEARD ACFT FLYING LOW BUT COULD NOT SEE IT DUE TO LOW CLOUDS AND DARKNESS. A SHORT TIME LATER THE ACFT WAS HEARD STRIKING TREES. POST CRSH EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRECRASH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS, OR ENGINE. AUTOPSY OF THE PILOT SHOWED NO EVIDENCE MEDICAL INCAPACITATION AND ALL TOXICOLOGY TESTS WERE NEGATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12WP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12WP-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 926, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WALTER R. PENNEY VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Penny Walter R VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/penny-walter-r-vari-eze) (registry code 05609NK) (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: 926
- Airframe hours: 422
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis W. Owens
- Registered owner: Walter R. Penney
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1991, 250 hours before
- Departed: 1M8, HOPKINSVILLE, KY
- Destination: MLU, MONROE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,350 total, 250 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 38 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 19920108000309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920108000309A), Jan 8, 1992: Amtrru VARIEZE, Lamar, MS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off VFR at dusk and entered clouds. Crashed into trees en route. Advised on wx briefing VFR not recommended.

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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