# NTSB MKC81FCA13: Rutan Vreze, N4258L, St.Charles, MO, May 16, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 16, 1981
- Place: St.Charles, MO · ST.CHARLES, MO
- Location: 38.7957° N, 90.5154° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. Charles, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7957&lon=-90.5154&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 12, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC81FCA13
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FCA13

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0771  81/5/16  NR.ST.CHARLES,MO      RUTAN VREZE         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 51, 608
        TIME - 1600                    N4258L              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 1 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ST CHARLES COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ST.CHARLES,MO                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: WINDSHIELDS,WINDOWS,CANOPIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  DOOR/PANEL OPEN
        REMARKS- CANOPY CAME OPEN DRG TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4258L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: RUTAN VREZE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: St Charles County

## 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 19810516026109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810516026109A), May 16, 1981: Amtrru VARIEZE, St Charles, MO, Substantial damage. Failed to lock canopy before takeoff. Canopy came open. Lost control. Landed in muddy field, 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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