Amateur-built Varieze accident near Macomb, Michigan, July 26, 2003
On July 26, 2003, a amateur-built Varieze, registered N617JF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Macomb, Michigan (Berz-Macomb airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to secure the window canopy before takeoff and his failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a loss of control. The pilot's diverted attention is a contributing factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 26, 2003
- Place
- Macomb, Michigan · Berz-Macomb · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Varieze
- Registration
- N617JF · registry record · serial 1312
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
An experimental amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with a Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) antenna and with terrain during a takeoff. The pilot reported minor injuries. The pilot stated, "Canopy was not secured properly prior to take off, and opened in flight just after rotation. Pilot lost control of the aircraft attempting to close the canopy in flight."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 255 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 255 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 15, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental 80A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: UIZ Macomb MI
- Destination: UIZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 4,193 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from MTC, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.