# NTSB Accident CHI97LA234
> **Rutan DEFIANT** · 1997-08-02 · ALMA, MI, USA · MINR
## Event
- **NTSB number:** CHI97LA234
- **Event ID:** 20001208X08569
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1997-08-02
- **Location:** ALMA, MI, USA
- **Coordinates:** 43.370452, -84.649124
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** MINR
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 2
- **Uninjured:** 1
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Rutan
- **Model:** DEFIANT
- **Registration:** N20SR
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 2
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

the pilot did not perform an adequate preflight check and he did not perform the takeoff checklist.  Factors included the pilot's inadequate design of the safety latch and the canopy inadvertently deploying.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=CHI97LA234) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*