# NTSB CEN10CA542: Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus, N4664, Moriarty, NM, September 5, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2010, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Moriarty, NM - Coordinates: 34.985553, -106.009445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9856&lon=-106.0094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 5, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77312 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA542 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77312/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77312 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA542 ## Probable cause The inadvertent opening of the cockpit canopy for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Windows-windshield system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth STANDARD CIRRUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/cases.md?model=38019VE), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth STANDARD CIRRUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=38019VE), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth STANDARD CIRRUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=38019VE), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth STANDARD CIRRUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=38019VE), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth STANDARD CIRRUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=38019VE), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis While being towed aloft behind an airplane, the glider’s cockpit canopy inadvertently opened. The glider pilot released from tow and attempted to close the canopy to no avail. The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern for landing about 20 minutes later. While on final approach, the pilot was unable to activate the dive brakes to shorten the landing distance due to her left hand being used to hold the canopy down. The glider crossed the runway threshold around 300 feet above ground level, and continued past the end of the runway for approximately one mile before she performed an off-airport landing. During landing the glider’s right wing impacted a fence post, resulting in structural damage. The reason for the inadvertent canopy opening was not determined. ## Factual narrative While being towed aloft behind an airplane, the single-seat glider’s cockpit canopy inadvertently opened. The glider pilot released from tow and attempted to close the canopy to no avail. Around 20 minutes later the pilot entered the airport traffic pattern for landing. While on final approach, the pilot was unable to activate the dive brakes to shorten the landing distance due to her left hand being used to hold the canopy down. The glider crossed the runway threshold around 300 feet above ground level, and continued past the end of the runway for approximately a mile before an off airport landing was performed. During landing the glider’s right wing impacted a fence post, resulting in structural damage to the aircraft. The glider came to rest in an upright position and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The reason for the inadvertent canopy opening was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4664](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4664-2018-03-02), registration cancelled 2018-03-02, S/N 172, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH STANDARD CIRRUS - Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth STANDARD CIRRUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-standard-cirrus) (registry code 38019VE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 172 - Airframe hours: 1869 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hawkins Tim J - Registered owner: Hawkins Tim J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 0E0, Moriarty, NM - Destination: 0E0, Moriarty, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; last flight review July 1, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 61 total, 1 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.50 inHg - Observed at: 0E0, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100905045309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100905045309A), Sep 5, 2010: Schempp-Hir STANDARD CI, Moriarity, NM, Substantial damage. Glider departed runway 026, departed northwest on tow. While passing through 2000 feet AGL, in moderate turbulance, canopy became unlatched. Pilot attempted to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77312. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.