Van's Aircraft, Inc. RV-12

Full Narrative

On August 29, 2011, at 0930 central daylight time, a Van's Aircraft RV-12 experimental light-sport airplane, N73712, was substantially damaged when it collided with the runway shortly after takeoff from Windom Municipal Airport (KMWM), Windom, Minnesota. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that he inadvertently did not secure the canopy latch after entering the cabin. After liftoff he noticed air entering the cockpit from the unsecured canopy. He stated that he was distracted with securing the canopy as the airplane inadvertently descended toward the runway. The airplane collided with the runway as he attempted to reestablish a level flight attitude. The airplane subsequently slid off the right side of the runway into a soybean field. The fuselage, wings, firewall, and empennage sustained substantial damage during the ground collision. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the normal operation of the airplane. Additionally, he stated that the accident could have been prevented had he focused on flying the airplane instead of attempting to secure the unlatched canopy.