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Open canopy leads to loss of control

By NTSB · July 2, 2014 ·

Aircraft: Evektor Sportstar Injuries: None. Location: Lancaster, Pa. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, as the airplane lifted off, the canopy opened.

He simultaneously attempted to close the canopy while attempting to fly the airplane, but lost control of the airplane. The Sportstar landed hard on the runway.

Probable cause: The pilot’s attempt to secure an open canopy during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.

NTSB Identification: ERA12CA443

This July 2012 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. BJS says

    July 3, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Well spoken, Paul!

  2. Ray says

    July 2, 2014 at 10:59 am

    Bernoulli and Newton work in concert to lift them there flyin machines.

  3. Dale Rust says

    July 2, 2014 at 7:08 am

    I would say the real cause was …. Bernoullli (or at least contributing) … which “sucked it up” …. the same phenomonen that causes tarpaulins on trucks to flap …. or maybe even airplanes to fly, according to some folks. (Although some ultralighters believe it’s simply ‘angle of attack’.

    • Paul says

      July 3, 2014 at 10:28 am

      I recommend you adhere to the Lincoln philosophy of public speaking: “It is best to keep silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”

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