From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
Pilot failed to latch canopy securely before take off. All latches came loose in flight, wind and debris impaired pilot's vision. When he noticed he was very low to the ground, he added power, but made contact with the ground.
As the FAA filed it
PILOT FAILED TO LATCH CANOPY SECURELY BEFORE TAKE OFF. ALL LATCHES CAME LOOSE IN FLIGHT, WIND AND DEBRIS IMPAIRED PILOT'S VISION. WHEN HE NOTICED HE WAS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND, HE ADDED POWER, BUT MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.