| Crash location | 42.663889°N, 82.965556°W |
| Nearest city | Macomb, MI
42.700865°N, 82.959094°W 2.6 miles away |
| Tail number | N617JF |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 25 Jul 2003 |
| Aircraft type | Ference Varieze |
| Additional details: | None |
On July 25, 2003, about 2000 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Ference Varieze, N617JF, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with a Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) antenna and with terrain during a takeoff from runway 22 (4,193 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) at Berz-Macomb Airport (UIZ), near Macomb, Michigan. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating from UIZ at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated:
Canopy was not secured properly prior to take off, and opened in
flight just after rotation. Pilot lost control of the aircraft attempting
to close the canopy in flight.
The pilot's failure to secure the window canopy before takeoff and his failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a loss of control. The pilot's diverted attention is a contributing factor.