# NTSB MKC88DPG01: Meyer VARI-EZE, N748BC, Little Rock Afb, AR, January 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1988, 18:01 local (Jan 19, 1988, 00:01 UTC)
- Place: Little Rock Afb, AR
- Coordinates: 34.900058, -92.139045 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9001&lon=-92.1390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88DPG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88DPG01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - flight advisories - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PILOT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING AND WAS TOLD VFR WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE PILOT DID NOT FILE A FLIGHT PLAN AND FLEW AN AIRCRAFT NOT EQUIPPED FOR IFR INTO WEATHER WITH 100-FEET OBSCURED CEILING AND .3 MILE VISIBILITY. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO THE GROUND AT A PITCH ATTITUDE OF 60-DEGREES NOSE DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N748BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N748BC-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 2203 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MEYER VARI-EZE
- Registry model: [Meyer Carl E VARI-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/meyer-carl-e-vari-eze) (registry code 05609YK) (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: 2203
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carol E. Meyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: I42, POOLI, IN
- Destination: M99, BENTON, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 400 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 60° at 9 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 10 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 19880118000949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880118000949A), Jan 18, 1988: Amtrru VARIEZE, Little Rock, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into a heavily forested swampy area. Impacted in a nose down attitude. Pilot told VFR was 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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