# NTSB ATL95LA084: Swant Varieze, N418EZ, Tullahoma, TN, April 16, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1995, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Tullahoma, TN
- Coordinates: 35.370506, -86.200889 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3705&lon=-86.2009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA084

## 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.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - window,canopy - not secured
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - window,canopy - open
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

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.

## Factual 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N418EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N418EZ-1997-03-24), registration cancelled 1997-03-24, S/N 1418 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWANT VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Swant Lloyd VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/swant-lloyd-varieze) (registry code 05609GE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1418
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Swant, Harold L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: THA
- Airport: THA, Tullahoma Municipal, runway 18, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 734 total, 650 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Observed at: THA

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19950416008009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950416008009A), Apr 16, 1995: Amtrru VARIEZE, Tullahoma, TN, Destroyed. Failed to secure. Canopy opened on liftoff. Pitched up. Pulled canopy down. Lost control. Hit ground. Flipped over.

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.

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