# Accident 20131216024439A: Maarten H Versteeg ZENITH 601XL(B), Leakey, TX, December 16, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 16, 2013, 16:18 local time
- Place: Leakey, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.7196° N, 99.7606° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7196&lon=-99.7606&mi=10
- Aircraft: N581SL, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N581SL-2014-12-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maarten H Versteeg ZENITH 601XL(B) (registry code 05632RP, https://openairdocs.org/model/maarten-h-versteeg-zenith-601xl-b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Jabiru 3300A (registry code 34804, https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAARTEN H VERSTEEG ZENITH 601XL(B)
- Reported engine: JABIRU 3300A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 370 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN14LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA087) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131216024439A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DURING TAKE-OFF THE CANOPY OPENED, DISTRACTING THE PILOT. THE DISTRACTION CAUSED THE PILOT TO MISMANAGE THE AIRCRAFT CONTROLS.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AT A STEEP ANGLE OF DIVE.  THE IMPACT CAUSED THE LANDING GEAR TO SHEER OFF THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT SLID AN ADDITIONAL 50YDS AND CAME TO REST ON THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN14LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA087), Dec 16, 2013: Maarten H Versteeg Zenith 601XL(B) (N581SL), Leakey, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after the canopy opened on takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly secure the canopy latch before takeoff.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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