Zenith CH601
Junction City, KS — October 22, 2018
Event Information
| Date | October 22, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA037 |
| Event ID | 20181023X02852 |
| Location | Junction City, KS |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.04333, -96.84333 |
| Airport | FREEMAN FIELD |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Zenith |
| Model | CH601 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to secure the canopy latch before takeoff, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and the subsequent loss of airplane control.
Full Narrative
The pilot in the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that about 5 minutes after takeoff, he felt air coming into the cockpit from the canopy. He noticed that the canopy latch was not adequately secured and attempted to secure it, but the canopy opened. The airplane became very difficult to control with the canopy open and he made an emergency landing in a cornfield. During landing, the nose wheel collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.