Gage VARI-EZE N88VE

Summary

On 7 April 1996 at about 18:09 local time, a Gage VARI-EZE registered N88VE was involved in an accident near Chino, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 April 1996 at 18:09

Classification

Accident

Location

Chino, California, United States

Nearest airport

Chino (CNO)

Coordinates

34.0010, -117.6807

Aircraft

Gage VARI-EZE

Registration

N88VE

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX96LA159

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot's excessive initial climb attitude and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed. The pilot's diverted attention to the unlatched canopy warning light, and his lack of familiarity with the aircraft were factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a sales demonstration flight for the airplane's owner. Before departing on the accident flight, the pilot performed two high speed taxi operations and one takeoff and landing. When departing on the accident flight, the pilot twice aborted the takeoff due to a canopy unlatched warning light indication. After correcting the problem, with the airplane still on the runway, the pilot took off and climbed sharply. Ground witnesses said the airplane stalled about 100 feet agl. The left wing and nose dropped and the pilot was unable to regain a positive flight attitude. The airplane crashed in a left wing and nose down attitude. The wreckage examination established continuity of the flight control system. The pilot had 1 hour of flight time in this type aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.