CZECH AIRCRAFT WORKS SPOL SRO SPORTCRUISER
Las Vegas, NV — October 16, 2011
Event Information
| Date | October 16, 2011 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR12CA014 |
| Event ID | 20111020X11554 |
| Location | Las Vegas, NV |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 35.97278, -115.13445 |
| Airport | Henderson Executive Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CZECH AIRCRAFT WORKS SPOL SRO |
| Model | SPORTCRUISER |
| 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 inadvertent opening of the airplane’s canopy during takeoff, which distracted the pilot and resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to comply with the manufacturer's recommended procedures for the canopy opening during takeoff.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff during the cross wind turn the canopy popped open. The pilot continued to fly the airplane while trying to hold the canopy down with his left hand. The airplane began to porpoise and lose altitude. The pilot was unable to achieve a slow cruise stable attitude. He continued to fly the airplane for an emergency landing to the duty runway, he pulled the power off and stalled the airplane 4-5 feet above the runway, which resulted in a hard landing.
The Sport Cruiser Pilot Operating Handbook, Supplement No. 03 states the following in section 6.7.3.
"Recommendation for canopy opening during the aircraft takeoff:
1. Do not try to close the canopy!
2. Continue the takeoff.
3. Clime to a safe altitude, and reach 120 km/h (65 kts)
4. Continue to circuit
5. Land, after stopping, close and lock the canopy."
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.