# NTSB SEA86LA132: Morris B. Stephens Variviggen, N586MS, Reno, NV, May 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1986, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.709777, -119.820266 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7098&lon=-119.8203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40412
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40412/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA132

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AN EXCESSIVELY LONG TAKEOFF RUN WAS MADE DUE TO HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE. DURING INTITAL CLIMB THE PILOT OVER ROTATED CAUSING A LOW AIRSPEED. THE PILOT NOTICED THIS, LOWERED THE NOSE AND THEN FLEW INTO THE GROUND. THE PILOT ALSO FAILED TO RETRACT THE LANDING GEAR AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE. THE PILOT GAINED HIS PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE IN 1960 AND AT THAT TIME HAD LOGGED OVER 130 HOURS OF TOTAL FLIGHT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N586MS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MORRIS B. STEPHENS VARIVIGGEN
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 586
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Morris B. Stephens
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 8, 1985
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: 4SD, Reno/Stead, runway 8, 7,600 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 251 total, 208 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 1 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 19860528019879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860528019879A), May 28, 1986: Amtrru VARIVIGGEN, Reno, NV, Destroyed. Unable to maintain climb with gear down after takeoff, collided with the ground.

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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