# NTSB CEN10LA245: Gross Cozy, N144TJ, Pine Bluff, AR, May 9, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 2010, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Pine Bluff, AR
- Coordinates: 34.207778, -91.973609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2078&lon=-91.9736&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 6 minor; on the ground: 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 28, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Little Rock FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75973/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75973
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA245

## Probable cause

The inadvertent opening of the cockpit canopy during cruise flight for undetermined reasons, which allowed debris to impact and damage the pusher propeller with a resulting total loss of engine power.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Windows-windshield system: flight compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md)
- [Propeller system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046100): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046100/cases.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046100/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Windows-windshield system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Failure; cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/cases.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110) (defining event); cases with it: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=05616MN), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The airplane was in cruise flight when the right-side hinged cockpit canopy suddenly opened to about a 90-degree up position. The pilot’s headset and several other loose items in the cockpit exited the airplane. The pilot subsequently experienced a “large vibration” in the engine. With the engine producing partial power, the pilot elected to perform an emergency descent. About 4 miles from the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot executed a forced landing on a busy five-lane road. After missing several vehicles, the airplane struck and damaged the rear of a car and came to rest in a ditch on the side of the road. A postaccident examination of the canopy’s primary and secondary latch system revealed that the secondary latch system exhibited an overstress fracture of the spring steel hook and had separated. The overstress fracture likely occurred during due to the canopy opening; the reason for the inadvertent opening of the canopy could not be determined. The damage to the rear mounted pusher propeller was consistent with debris from the cabin striking the propeller when the canopy opened in flight.

## Factual narrative

On May 9, 2010, about 1545 central daylight time, a Gross Cozy III experimental amateur built airplane, N144TJ, was substantially damaged during an off-airport forced landing at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The solo pilot sustained minor injuries and five persons on the ground sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane had departed Monroe Regional Airport (MLU), Monroe, Louisiana, about 1510, and was enroute to Rochester International Airport (RST), Rochester, Minnesota. The airplane was in cruise flight at 4,500 feet mean sea level (MSL) when the cockpit canopy suddenly opened to about a 90 degree up position. According to the pilot his headset and several other loose items in the cockpit immediately departed the airplane and debris struck and damaged the pusher propeller on the rear of the airplane. The pilot subsequently reported a “large vibration” in the engine. With the engine producing partial power, the pilot headed for the nearest airport about 9 miles away and began an emergency descent. Approximately four miles from the airport the engine experienced a total loss of power and the pilot executed a forced landing on a busy five lane road in the city limits. After missing several vehicles, the airplane struck and damaged the rear of an automobile. The airplane then struck several sign posts and came to rest in a ditch on the side of the road. The airplane was equipped with a right side hinged canopy which functioned as the front windshield, side windows, cabin roof, and was the only access to and from the cockpit. A primary latch lever mounted on the cockpit side wall operated front and rear hooks which engaged two latch studs installed on the lower left edge of the canopy. A spring steel safety catch mounted at the bottom of the primary latch lever would prevent the latch from opening when a latch pin at the bottom of the lever was properly engaged. In the event the primary latch inadvertently opened, a secondary latch system was designed to catch the partially open canopy and prevent the canopy from going to the full open position. The secondary latch system had a spring steel hook installed on the left side of the canopy which engaged a corresponding latch stud installed on the cockpit side wall. An examination of the canopy primary latch system did not disclose any anomalies. An examination of the secondary latch system showed an overstress fracture of the spring steel hook which had separated. The separated portion was found inside the cockpit. Additionally, the engine’s propeller damage was consistent with debris, from the cockpit, striking the propeller when the canopy opened in-flight. During the accident, the airplane’s left canard and wing were substantially damaged. The engine also appeared to havepartially separated from its mount.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N144TJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N144TJ-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 452, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GROSS COZY (III)
- Registry model: [Gross Thomas Harry COZY](https://openairdocs.org/model/gross-thomas-harry-cozy) (registry code 05616MN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 452
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: LYCOMING O320 E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 4, 2009
- Departed: MLU, Monroe, LA
- Destination: RST, Rochester, MN
- Airport: PBF, Girder Field Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 4, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 400 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observed at: PBF, 3 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 20100509033349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100509033349A), May 9, 2010: Gross Thoma COZY, Pine Bluff, AR, Substantial damage. On may 9, 2010, at approximately 1545 CDT, N144TJ, an experimental amateur built Cozy, was operating under FAR 91, near Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The private pilot…

## Docket (14 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75973. 3.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329817&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statement - Jenkins (item 2, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-%20Jenkins-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statement - Nash (item 3, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-%20Nash-Redacted.PDF
- Map 1 - Flight Aware intended flight path from Monroe, LA to Rochester, MN (item 4, .PDF, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%201%20-%20Flight%20Aware%20intended%20flight%20path%20from%20Monroe,%20LA%20to%20Rochester,%20MN-Master.PDF
- Map 2 - Accident Location (item 5, .PDF, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329967&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%202%20-%20Accident%20Location-Master.PDF
- Map 3 - Accident Location (item 6, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329968&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%203%20-%20Accident%20Location-Master.PDF
- Map 4 - Accident Location (item 7, .PDF, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329993&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%204%20-%20Accident%20Location-Master.PDF
- Photo - Accident location looking east (item 8, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Accident%20location%20looking%20east-Master.PDF
- Photo - Automobile struck by airplane (item 9, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Automobile%20struck%20by%20airplane-Master.PDF
- Photo - Wreckage as viewed from the right side (item 10, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Wreckage%20as%20viewed%20from%20the%20right%20side-Master.PDF
- Photo - Wreckage as viewed from the rear (item 11, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Wreckage%20as%20viewed%20from%20the%20rear-Master.PDF
- Photo - Canopy Primary Latch (item 12, .PDF, 726 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Canopy%20Primary%20Latch-Master.PDF
- Photo - Canopy Secondary Latch (item 13, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360538&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Canopy%20Secondary%20Latch-Master.PDF
- Police Report - Pine Bluff PD Accident Report (item 14, .PDF, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report%20-%20Pine%20Bluff%20PD%20Accident%20Report-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.

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