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NTSB Report
May 23, 1983 · Herpst Varieze · N882BF
Portola, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Portola, CA
Aircraft
Herpst Varieze
Tail Number
N882BF
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FA246
THE HOME BUILT ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED ON RISING TERRAIN WHILE THE PLT & PASSENGER WERE ON A SIGHT-SEEING FLT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF 7000 FT, THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APRX 10000 FT. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED APRX 290 FT ALONG A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. ABOUT 40 MILES EAST OF THE CRASH SITE, THE WIND WAS FROM 360 DEG AT 10 KTS. THE PLT HAD BEEN USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN THE ENG. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED, 'AUTO GAS, ESPECIALLY THE HIGH AEROMATIC CONTENT NO-LEAD, SHOULD NOT BE USED.' NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT STRUCTURAL FAILURE WAS REPORTED.
Full Narrative
THE HOME BUILT ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED ON RISING TERRAIN WHILE THE PLT & PASSENGER WERE ON A SIGHT-SEEING FLT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF 7000 FT, THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APRX 10000 FT. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED APRX 290 FT ALONG A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. ABOUT 40 MILES EAST OF THE CRASH SITE, THE WIND WAS FROM 360 DEG AT 10 KTS. THE PLT HAD BEEN USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN THE ENG. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED, 'AUTO GAS, ESPECIALLY THE HIGH AEROMATIC CONTENT NO-LEAD, SHOULD NOT BE USED.' NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT STRUCTURAL FAILURE WAS REPORTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHerpst Varieze
Tail NumberN882BF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290 D · Reciprocating · 135
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:49
Weather SourceWFAC