Accident Rutan VariEze N78EV, Wednesday 1 September 1982

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Date:	Wednesday 1 September 1982
Time:	18:10 LT
Type:	Rutan VariEze
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N78EV
MSN:	RAF 1803
Total airframe hrs:	46 hours
Engine model:	Continental O-200A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Palo Alto, CA - United States of America
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Rialto, CA (L67)
Destination airport:	Burbank, CA
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
DURING FINAL APPROACH THE ACFT SUDDENLY PITCHED DOWN ABOUT 45 DEG & CRASHED INTO A DUCK POND CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 4-5 FT OF WATER. DURING EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE IT WAS NOTED A BOLT WAS MISSING THAT SECURES THE ELEVATOR CONTROL STICK, AT THE BELLCRANK, TO THE PUSH-PULL ROD THAT EXTENDS TO & OPERATES THE ELEVATORS ATTACHED TO THE CANARD. THE PLT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THIS FLT HE HAD PUT IN A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING WHICH THE CANARD HAD BEEN REMOVED. HE COULD NOT REMEMBER TORQUING THE NUT ATTACHING THE ELEVATOR PUSH-PULL ROD TO THE BELLCRANK WHEN HE REINSTALLED THE CANARD.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: