Aviation Crash Map

Marlin VARIEZE N77JM

20 April 2009 · Santa Teresa, New Mexico, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 20 April 2009 at about 19:00 local time, a Marlin VARIEZE registered N77JM, operated by John E. Marlin, was involved in an accident near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 19:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Santa Teresa, New Mexico, United States
Nearest airport
Dona Ana Cnty at Santa Teresa (5T6)
Coordinates
31.8811, -106.7047
Aircraft
Marlin VARIEZE
Registration
N77JM
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
John E. Marlin
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Santa Teresa → Pensacola
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
CEN09CA258

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 0 1

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, his failure to latch the canopy prior to takeoff, and his failure to complete the pretakeoff checklist due to his diverted attention.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said he became distracted while talking to another airplane on the radio. He didn't complete the takeoff checklist and forgot to latch the canopy prior to takeoff. The pilot took off and after climbing about 10 to 30 feet, the canopy popped open. The safety catch stopped the canopy from opening completely. With his left hand, the pilot attempted to close and lock the canopy. Being unsuccessful, he removed his right hand from control stick and grabbed the canopy latch. Control was lost and the airplane impacted the runway, struck a landing light, and skidded off the runway. The landing gear was sheared off, and a canard and a wing were crushed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

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