# NTSB MKC90DCJ01: K. W. Jeffers Varieze, N3KJ, Brainard, NE, June 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1990, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Brainard, NE
- Coordinates: 41.17974, -97.000724 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1797&lon=-97.0007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90DCJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90DCJ01

## Probable cause

PILOT USED POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING AEROBATICS WITH INADEQUATE ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE A LOW PASS PERFORMED, OVER CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY AND OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY BY THE PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING A LOW, HIGH SPEED PASS, OVER A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, THE HOMEBUILT ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO PULL UP, ROLL TO THE LEFT ABOUT 180 DEGREES TO AN INVERTED ATTITUDE, THEN DESCEND ALMOST VERTICALLY TO THE TERRAIN. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3KJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3KJ-1991-01-09), registration cancelled 1991-01-09, S/N 848 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: K. W. JEFFERS VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Jeffers K W VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/jeffers-k-w-varieze) (registry code 05609AS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 848
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 C2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rodney A. Malcomb
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: MLE, OMAHA, NE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,883 total, 269 in this make and model, 2,537 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OLU, 23 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 19900616021449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900616021449A), Jun 16, 1990: Amtrru VARIEZE, Brainard, NE, Destroyed, 1 fatal. At low altitude rolled left went inverted and crashed.

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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