Amateur-built MK 7 accident near Marana, Arizona, February 4, 2001
On February 4, 2001 at about 9:00 pm local time, a amateur-built MK 7, registered N1296, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marana, Arizona (El Tiro Glider Port 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 inadequate preflight preparation with regards to runway choice, terrain, and performance capabilities of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 4, 2001 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Marana, Arizona · El Tiro Glider Port · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MK 7
- Registration
- N1296 · registry record · serial 2
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a forced landing from the initial climb after takeoff, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that the available runway had an upslope gradient and upon realizing there was not sufficent distance to clear terrain, decided to settle in a clearing.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 2,900 as pilot in command; 200 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 16, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 136 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2000; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 780 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 1600CC (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Marana AZ at 9:00 pm
- Destination: E60 Eloy AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 3,000 ft by 120 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from TUS
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.