# NTSB MIA07CA018: Sargent Jonathan Varieze, N75EZ, Punta Gorda, FL, November 18, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 18, 2006, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Punta Gorda, FL - Coordinates: 26.920278, -81.990554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9203&lon=-81.9906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 64917 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64917/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight, which did not ensure the security of the canopy before flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - window,canopy - not secured - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated to the NTSB Investigator that he had problems locking the canopy. He would try closing the canopy several times before it would lock correctly. When he closed the canopy for the accident flight "it did not feel right" but elected to continue the flight. At about 500 feet above the ground, after takeoff, the canopy popped open. He stayed in the pattern and was on final approach while holding down the canopy. He released his hand from the control stick to throttle back, the airplane veered left. He could not regain control of the airplane and impacted the ground. The responding FAA inspector stated that during the post accident examination, the two front latches to secure the canopy down did not engage when the canopy was in the down and locked position. When lifted, the canopy to windshield miss alignment was about 3/4 of an inch into the wind stream. ## Factual narrative On November 18, 2006, about 1030 eastern standard time, an experimental, homebuilt, Sargent Jonathan, Varieze, N75EZ, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, impact the ground after an inflight loss of control while on short final approach to the Charlotte County Airport, Punta Gorda, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received serious injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from the same airport, earlier that day, about 1025. The pilot stated that he has had problems with locking the canopy. He would have to attempt to close the canopy several times before it would lock correctly. When he closed the canopy for the accident flight "it did not feel right" but elected to continue the flight. At about 500 feet above the ground, after take off, the canopy popped open. He stayed in the pattern and was on final, while holding down the canopy. He released his hand from the control stick to throttle back, the airplane veered left. He could not regain control of the airplane and impacted the ground. The responding FAA inspector stated that during the post accident examination, the two front latches to secure the canopy down did not engage when the canopy was in the down and locked position. When lifted, the canopy to windshield miss alignment was about 3/4 of an inch into the wind stream. A complete Pilot/Operator Accident Incident Report (Form 6120.1/2) was not received for this accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75EZ-2007-10-23), registration cancelled 2007-10-23, S/N 2173 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sargent Jonathan Varieze - Registry model: [Sargent Jonathan VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/sargent-jonathan-varieze) (registry code 05609GM) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2173 - Engines: unknown Unknown reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jonathan L. Sargent - Registered owner: Jonathan L. Sargent - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KPGD, Punta Gorda, FL - Airport: KPGD, Charlotte ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 1,975 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg ## 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 20061118026029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061118026029A), Nov 18, 2006: Amtr VARIEZE, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 18, 2006, at 9:20 am local time, a Varieze (amateur built), N75EZ, registered to the pilot [privacy data omitted] collided with the ground… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.