# NTSB SEA92IA164: Smith Vari EZE, Terry, MT, July 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Fatal · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1992, 20:35 local (Jul 27, 1992, 02:35 UTC)
- Place: Terry, MT
- Coordinates: 46.910743, -105.429931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9107&lon=-105.4299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92IA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92IA164

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S EXCEEDING LIFTOFF SPEED DURING A TAXI TEST.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi
  - airspeed(vlof) - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS TAXIING WESTBOUND ON RUNWAY 25 WHEN THE UNREGISTERED HOMEBUILT VARI EZE BECAME AIRBORNE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO REACH AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 20-30 FEET AGL AS IT ROLLED COUNTER CLOCKWISE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW INVERTED ATTITUDE. FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WITNESSED THE OCCURRENCE REPORTED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT INTEND TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT, BUT ONLY TAXI ALONG THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SMITH VARI EZE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Benny J.
- Registered owner: Smith, Benny J.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 8U6, TERRY, MT
- Destination: 8U6
- Airport: 8U6, Terry, runway 25, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLS, 31 nm away

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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