# NTSB NYC92DGM01: Willkins-Wayne VARI-VIGGEN, N12VV, Erie, PA, November 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1991, 14:03 local (19:03 UTC)
- Place: Erie, PA
- Coordinates: 42.129764, -80.139122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1298&lon=-80.1391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92DGM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92DGM01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LOW TIME AND EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

A WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE TURNING BASE TO FINAL.  WHILE IN THE TURN THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO OSCILLATE IN BOTH PITCH AND ROLL, AND THEN WENT INTO A DIVE.  THE PILOT RECOVERED AT A LOW ALTITUDE, THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP AND STARTED TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT.  JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT THE WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE NOSE LOW, AND IN A RIGHT TURN BEFORE IT IMPACTED.  THERE WERE NO RECORDS FOUND TO INDICATE THE PILOT HAD ANY EXPERIENCE WITH TYPE OF AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12VV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12VV-2012-06-04), registration cancelled 2012-06-04, S/N 208 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WILLKINS-WAYNE VARI-VIGGEN (VARI-VIGGE)
- Registry model: [Wilkins-Wayne VARI-VIGGEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/wilkins-wayne-vari-viggen) (registry code 05609M9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 208
- Airframe hours: 69
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George Jacoby
- Registered owner: George Jacoby
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 22, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: ERI, ERIE, PA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 599 total, 1 in this make and model, 499 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ERI, 2 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 19911113051119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911113051119A), Nov 13, 1991: Amtrru VARIVIGGEN, Erie, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control turning final oscillated stalled recovered low then secondary stall to impact. No check out in type.

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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