N66WRWELLS VARIEZE 1989-01-05 NTSB Accident Report

Destroyed
Fatal

WELLS VARIEZE S/N: 328

Summary

On January 05, 1989, a Wells VARIEZE (N66WR) was involved in an accident near Macon, MO. The accident resulted in 1 fatal injury. The aircraft was destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: CONTINUED FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE OBSTACLES. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: LOW CEILING, FOG, RAIN, PILOT DELAYING FLIGHT TO AN ALTERNATE DESTINATION, HIS LACK OF RECENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT, AND TREES.

This accident is documented in NTSB report MKC89DCG02. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N66WR.

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, January 5, 1989
NTSB Number
MKC89DCG02
Location
MACON, MO
Event ID
20001213X27636
Coordinates
39.730583, -92.469230
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

CONTINUED FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE OBSTACLES. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: LOW CEILING, FOG, RAIN, PILOT DELAYING FLIGHT TO AN ALTERNATE DESTINATION, HIS LACK OF RECENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT, AND TREES.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
WELLS
Serial Number
328
Engine Type
None
Year Built
1982
Model / ICAO
VARIEZE FEST
No. of Engines
0

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
WELLS HAROLD
Address
1027 W ALLEGAN ST
Status
Deregistered
City
MARTIN
State / Zip Code
MI 49070
Country
United States

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MKC89DCG02