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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 16, 1995 · Swant Varieze · N418EZ

Tullahoma, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 16, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tullahoma, TN
Aircraft
Swant Varieze
Tail Number
N418EZ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL95LA084

THE PRIVATE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES WERE NORMAL, EXCEPT THAT HE APPARENTLY FORGOT TO SECURE THE CANOPY. AT ABOUT 30 TO 40 FEET AGL, DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE CANOPY OPENED RAPIDLY. HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE, AND GRABBED THE CANOPY. HE COULD CLOSE THE CANOPY, BUT COULD NOT MANIPULATE THE LATCHES. AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE WERE LOST, AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A FLAT ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST INVERTED, AND THE PILOT EGRESSED THE AIRPLANE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, WHICH RESULTED IN A TAKEOFF WITH AN UNSECURED CANOPY, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB.

Full Narrative

On April 16, 1995, at 0730 central daylight time, N418EZ, a Swant Varieze, collided with terrain and burned after an in flight loss of control at Tullahoma, Tennessee. The aircraft was destroyed. The private pilot was not injured. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the following: He performed his usual preflight procedures, however, he "apparently failed to secure (the) canopy." The takeoff was normal until the aircraft reached about 30 to 40 feet above ground level. At that point, the canopy "went up with great speed." The aircraft pitched up, and rolled to the right. He countered with left rudder and stick, pushed the nose down, and reached for the canopy. He stated that the aircraft was very hard to control. He retarded the throttle, and brought the canopy down, but he had to hold it closed. He lost airspeed and altitude, and was not able to recover. The aircraft landed flat, but on soft, rough terrain. The aircraft turned to the left, then flipped over. He released his seat belt and shoulder harness, and egressed the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 CDT
Nearest AirportTullahoma Municipal (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftSwant Varieze
Tail NumberN418EZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time12:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data